NEW DELHI: A chemical-laden truck collided with an LPG tanker near Bhankrota on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway early Friday morning, triggering a massive fire that engulfed several vehicles, including a passenger bus.
The tragedy claimed at least 11 lives and left over 40 injured, officials said.
The collision occurred around 5.30am near a petrol pump, causing multiple explosions and a fire that spread across a stretch of 100-200 meters.
Passengers of the bus, which was caught in the blaze, described the harrowing scene.
"My friend and I were traveling from Rajsamand to Jaipur when we heard a massive blast," a survivor recounted. "The bus door was locked, so we broke the window and jumped out. Those who couldn't escape were trapped in the fire."
Superintendent Sushil Kumar Bhati of Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital confirmed that 42 injured individuals have been admitted, with seven fatalities reported so far. "Around 10 patients have severe burns exceeding 60%, and six are on ventilators," he added.
Union minister Bhagirath Chaudhary termed the incident "a very tragic event" and noted that Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma was present at the site. The Union home minister is also in touch with the chief minister regarding the incident.
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