Jaipur: In the LPG tanker blast accident that occurred in Bhankrota area on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway, 13 deaths have been confirmed so far. Initially, the administration had reported 14 deaths, but late on Saturday night, the FSL investigation revealed that the remains found in a bundle were not of two people, but of one.
One of the bodies identified at SMS Hospital was that of retired IAS officer Karni Singh Rathore. After matching the DNA sample from his daughter, the FSL confirmed this. Rathore’s car, while returning from Bhankrota Agricultural Farm to Jaipur in the morning, got caught in the LPG tanker blast.
The accident, which took place early Friday morning, claimed the lives of five people at the scene. Eight others succumbed to their injuries during treatment at Sawai Man Singh Hospital. One death occurred at Jaipuria Hospital. The identities of 11 out of the 13 deceased have been confirmed so far.
Fire spreads to highway
The fire was so intense that it spread to a nearby plastic pipe factory and it was reduced to ashes, while a petrol pump also caught fire but was contained before causing more damage. Over 20 fire brigade vehicles battled the flames for hours, covering a 500-metre stretch of the highway.
Firefighters faced more challenges due to gas leakage from a tanker, using masks to protect themselves from toxic fumes. Locals and the Civil Defense team worked together to save the injured and transport them to safety, while traffic was halted on a 2-kilometre stretch to aid operations.
PM condoles, CM visits site
Eyewitnesses described the explosion as resembling a bomb blast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and offered condolences and financial aid to the victims’ families. Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma visited the injured at SMS Hospital. Initial investigations suggest driver negligence, with police conducting a detailed investigation into the cause.
