A massive fire engulfed the Jaipur-Ajmer highway early Friday morning after a collision between a gas tanker and multiple vehicles led to a catastrophic inferno. The tragic incident has claimed at least 11 lives, with over 40 others injured, many critically.
CCTV visuals captured the horrifying moment when fire swept over properties near the highway shortly after the collision. Flames engulfed nearby structures, and thick black smoke billowed into the sky, visible from almost a kilometer away. A nearly 300-meter-long stretch of the highway turned into a scene of devastation, with at least 30 vehicles damaged in the blaze.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
Emergency responders, including ambulances and fire services, rushed to the scene to douse the flames and rescue survivors. Authorities have set up a green corridor to expedite the transportation of injured victims to the SMS Hospital in Jaipur.
भांकरोटा में हुआ हादसा कितना भयावह था, इस सीसीटीवी फुटेज से अंदाजा लगाया जा सकता है। कुछ ही सैकेंड में आग का गोला दूर तक फैल गया। #jaipuraccident pic.twitter.com/0HhAgcaTt4
— Versha Singh (@Vershasingh26) December 20, 2024
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar visited the SMS Hospital to meet the injured and oversee relief efforts. Khimsar reported that nearly half of the injured were in critical condition, with medical teams working tirelessly to save lives.
Ongoing Investigation
Efforts are underway to identify the passengers of a bus caught behind the gas tanker at the time of the collision. Authorities are also assessing the damage to nearby establishments and determining the cause of the fire.
This incident highlights the urgent need for stringent safety measures and better infrastructure to prevent such catastrophic accidents on national highways.
