 "Chemical-laden truck collides with other vehicles on Jaipur-Ajmer road. Source: Screengrab | ANI")
At least five people have died and several others have been injured in a massive fire broke and soon started to spread rapidly after a truck on Jaipur-Ajmer highway, carrying chemical, collided with other vehicles in front of a petrol pump on Friday.
“We are saddened by the death of 4-5 people. Around 39 people are admitted to SMS Hospital,” Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa said.
As many as 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames.
Visuals of Jaipur accident doing rounds on social media showed massive flames coming out from the fuel station as the fire tenders tried to extinguish the blaze.
Several of those injured in the accident have sustained severe burn injuries.
“Around 40 vehicles caught fire. Fire brigade and ambulances have reached the spot. The relief work is underway. The fire has been doused off and only 1-2 vehicles are left. Around 23-24 people have been injured in the incident,” Jaipur DM, Jitendra Soni said.
25 people admitted to ICU
SMS Medical College Principal, Dr Deepak Maheshwari said that 24-25 people have been admitted to the ICU. “More people are coming. Many people have been injured in the incident. It is a severe accident,” he added.
“We have opened a new ICU also to treat all those injured,” Dr. Maheshwari further said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital to meet those injured in the incident.
Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said, “Around 5 beds are left in our critical burn ward. We have prepared another ward of 40 beds.”
He further said that the police team and administration are active at the accident site. “The traffic corridor has been completely open for the injured people to come to SMS Hospital. According to the police and administration, maximum people have already reached the hospital.”
“The blast in the LPG container was massive. We are not sure if the petrol pump caught the fire or not,” Khimsar further said.
This is a developing story. Refresh for more updates.