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At least nine persons were killed in a massive fire that broke out following a truck collision outside a petrol pump in Rajasthan's Jaipur this morning. The incident took place around 5:30 am on Ajmer Road when a CNG tanker parked near the petrol pump caught fire after a truck collided with other vehicles.
According to officials, more people are feared dead, while more than 40 people have been injured. At least 28 victims are in a critical condition, officials said.
At present, efforts are being made to extinguish the fire which has engulfed several vehicles parked nearby.
The victims are being taken to a hospital and rescue operations are underway.
The explosion was so intense that several vehicles within a 300-meter radius were engulfed and completely burned, reported news agency IANS. Several drivers were reportedly burned in the incident, with some in critical condition. Visuals of the incident show a massive blaze and a cloud of black smoke above it - which can be seen from several kilometers away.
According to locals, the explosion was heard up to 10 kilometers away. Reportedly, there were also repeated explosions as many of the fuel tanks burst.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the truck that hit the other vehicles was reportedly loaded with a chemical.
"The fire has engulfed several trucks. The number of trucks involved in the incident is not clear. Some people with burn injuries have been rushed to hospitals in ambulances," Station House Officer (SHO), Bhankrota, Manish Gupta told news agency PTI.
PM Modi, Rajasthan Chief Minister React
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on the loss of lives in the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed. The injured persons will be given a compensation of Rs 50,000.
"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the accident on Jaipur-Ajmer highway in Rajasthan. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.
President Droupadi Murmu said the loss of lives in the Jaipur fire accident was very painful and offered her condolences to the families of the victims. "The news of the death of many people due to a road accident in Jaipur is very painful. I pray to God for peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to their families! I pray that the injured get well soon," she said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has reached the hospital to meet the victims and expressed condolences on the loss of lives in the incident.
"I am deeply saddened to hear the sad news of casualties of citizens in the gas tanker fire incident on Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway. As soon as the information about the incident was received, the Chief Minister went to SMS Hospital and directed the doctors to provide immediate necessary medical facilities and take proper care of the injured. Rescue work by the administration is underway," the Chief Minister said in a post on X.
"The local administration and emergency services are working with full readiness. I pray to God to grant the departed souls a place in his supreme abode, give the bereaved families strength to bear this immense loss, and provide speedy recovery to the injured," he added.
जयपुर-अजमेर राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग पर गैस टैंकर में आग लगने की घटना में नागरिकों के हताहत होने का दुःखद समाचार सुनकर मन अत्यंत व्यथित है।
घटना की सूचना मिलते ही एसएमएस अस्पताल जाकर चिकित्सकों को तत्काल आवश्यक चिकित्सा सुविधाएं उपलब्ध कराने एवं घायलों की समुचित देखभाल हेतु निर्देशित… pic.twitter.com/bIpNI7xT7y
— Bhajanlal Sharma (@BhajanlalBjp) December 20, 2024
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to take stock of the incident. During the telephonic conversation, Mr Shah expressed concern over the fire incident.