Jaipur crash sparked inferno, killed 11, over 40 injured

A deadly collision involving a gas tanker and multiple vehicles turned a stretch of the Jaipur-Ajmer highway here into an inferno on Friday morning, killing 11 people, injuring more than 40, and engulfing over 30 vehicles in flames.

Eyewitnesses reported spotting the flames from nearly a kilometre away as ambulances and fire brigade vehicles rushed towards the crash zone. The state health department confirmed that eight people died in the crash while more than 40 were injured.

Visuals showed fire engulfing a residence, likely near the highway, leaving a trail of destruction in the property. Other visuals showed smoke filling in a street, followed by a blast and fire. A nearly 300-metre-long stretch of the highway was affected by the accident, leading to a long queue of vehicles.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to ascertain details of passengers on board a bus that was behind the gas tanker when the accident occurred. Damage caused by the fire to the establishments along the highway is also being determined.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan lal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar visited the SMS Hospital, where injured persons are undergoing treatment. Khimsar told reporters that nearly half of the injured brought to the hospital were in very critical condition. Further, a 'green corridor' has been set up from the accident site to the SMS hospital.