Death Toll In Jaipur Gas Tanker Accident Climbs To 14

The death toll in the horrific accident and subsequent fire in Jaipur rose to 14 by Saturday as more people succumbed to their burn injuries. The tragic incident occurred on Friday morning on the Ajmer Highway in Jaipur, when an LPG gas tanker collided with a truck, instantly claiming the lives of eight people and leaving over 35 injured. The death toll continued to rise throughout the day as victims suffered from severe burn injuries.

The collision between the LPG tanker, which was traveling from Ajmer toward Jaipur, and a truck coming from the opposite direction triggered a massive explosion. The blast caused gas to leak over a 200-meter radius, quickly igniting into a fireball that engulfed the surrounding area. More than 40 vehicles, including a sleeper bus carrying 34 passengers, were caught in the inferno. Tragically, eight people were burned alive, and 35 others sustained burn injuries, some of them critically.

Victims Unable To Escape

The explosion caused catastrophic destruction, trapping many victims in the flames. The workers at a nearby pipe factory couldn’t escape, and the fire also consumed the sleeper bus, which carried 34 passengers. Of the 34 passengers, 20 suffered severe burns, and 14 others, including the driver and conductor, remain missing.

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The intensity of the fire was so extreme that it caused a bike rider’s helmet to melt and stick to his face, severely burning his eyes. The explosion’s heat even burned numerous birds in the vicinity, a chilling testament to the disaster’s scale.

Even hours after the incident, people in the area reported feeling suffocated and experiencing eye irritation due to the lingering effects of the fire. The relentless heat and smoke made it difficult for residents and passersby to breathe and caused further distress.

Prime Minister Announces Compensation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the tragic loss of life in the accident. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those who died, to be provided from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Additionally, he declared Rs 50,000 for each of the injured victims.

As the toll continues to rise, authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the collision and fire, with rescue operations still ongoing to find the missing passengers.