Jaipur, Oct 8
A devastating explosion on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway has claimed at least one life, with the remains so severely burned they were unrecognisable. Bones and ashes were recovered from the site and transported to SMS Hospital in Jaipur, wrapped in a red bundle, said officials on Wednesday.
The remains have been sent to the hospital mortuary for forensic examination, said officials.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night near the Sawarda culvert, where a truck loaded with LPG cylinders was parked near a dhaba.
A speeding chemical tanker crashed into the truck, triggering a series of powerful explosions as the LPG cylinders ignited one after another. The blasts were so intense that flames were visible from up to two kilometres away, and the sound of explosions was heard several km across nearby villages. Five vehicles were destroyed in the fire.
Eyewitnesses reported that metal fragments from the vehicles were hurled as far as 280 meters. Chaos erupted as locals fled their homes and hotel workers ran for safety. Some were caught in the flames before they could escape.
Police, firefighters, and SDRF teams responded immediately. The rescue and firefighting operations continued through the night. Six fire engines worked for several hours to bring the inferno under control.
The intense heat from the burning chemical tanker made the operation extremely difficult. Thick smoke and toxic fumes forced rescue personnel to work with their faces covered. Traffic on both sides of the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway came to a standstill, with long queues of vehicles stranded overnight. The road was only reopened once the fire was fully extinguished and the area declared safe.
By around 3 a.m., rescue teams recovered charred remains -- bones and ashes -- which were then wrapped in a red cloth bundle and sent to the SMS Hospital mortuary in Jaipur.
According to police, the identity of the deceased will only be confirmed after a forensic science laboratory (FSL) analysis.
The driver and attendant of the tanker are currently missing. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the collision and identify the victims. Further updates are expected as the forensic report is completed.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Why are trucks carrying hazardous materials allowed to park near dhabas and residential areas? This is a disaster waiting to happen. The transport department needs stricter regulations for chemical tankers and LPG trucks. Safety protocols are clearly being ignored.
Salute to the fire fighters and rescue teams who worked through the night in such dangerous conditions with toxic fumes. They're the real heroes here. Hope they get proper protective gear and recognition for their bravery.
My cousin travels on this highway regularly for work. This is so scary! The government needs to install more emergency response units along major highways. What if this happens during peak traffic hours? The casualties could be much higher.
The description of metal fragments flying 280 meters away shows how powerful the explosion was. Can't imagine the terror of people living nearby. Hope the forensic report comes soon and gives closure to the families of the missing persons.
While I appreciate the quick response, I'm concerned about the investigation transparency. We've seen many cases where the real causes get buried. Hope this doesn't become another forgotten incident. Proper accountability is needed.
The poor hotel workers and locals who had to run for their lives 😢 This could have been much worse
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