A seemingly ordinary journey turned into a nightmare for passengers traveling on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway when a catastrophic fire engulfed the road. The inferno, triggered by a collision between a chemical-laden truck and an LPG tanker, left a trail of destruction, claiming eight lives and injuring over 40 people. Amidst the chaos and flames, survivors recounted their harrowing escape from the blaze.
Eyewitness account: A brush with death
Vijay, a passenger on a bus traveling from Rajsamand to Jaipur, found himself caught in the heart of the disaster. He was accompanying his friend to the city to submit some documents. As their bus traversed the highway, a deafening explosion rocked the area, followed by a raging fire that quickly spread to nearby vehicles, including their own.
"Suddenly, a huge explosion occurred near our bus. We just saw fire everywhere," Vijay recounted, describing the scene of panic and chaos as passengers desperately sought to escape the burning bus. With the main gate jammed, they were forced to break windows to escape the inferno. Tragically, not everyone was as fortunate; several passengers were trapped inside, sustaining severe burns or losing their lives.
Rescue efforts and aftermath:
Around 20 fire tenders battled the blaze, while the injured were rushed to Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital and assured the victims of the best possible medical care. The accident caused significant disruption, affecting a 300-meter stretch of the highway and prompting traffic restrictions.
This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences that can arise from accidents involving hazardous materials. The survivors' accounts paint a chilling picture of the chaos and terror that ensued, highlighting the importance of emergency preparedness and response. As authorities investigate the cause of the collision, the focus remains on providing support to the victims and their families, while working to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
