At least 15 people died and over 30 others were critically injured following one of the worst accidents on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway last Friday when an LPG tanker exploded after colliding with another vehicle.
The incident occurred early on the morning of December 20, 2024, around 5:30 AM, when the tanker was attempting to make a U-turn near Bhankrota, close to the DPS school. According to police reports, as the tanker negotiated the turn, it collided with another truck loaded with blankets, leading to what witnesses described as a deafening explosion.
The blast was so powerful it could be heard over a mile away and consumed everything within its vicinity, including multiple vehicles and properties. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrors of the scene, with fire engulfing more than 35 vehicles and causing panic among drivers and passengers.
A truck driver who witnessed the disaster described how frantic passengers jumped from the burning vehicles. “When we woke up at 5:30 AM, we heard the blast. Those who could, jumped out of the bus, and those who couldn't, were burned there,” he told ANI, illustrating the moment of chaos.
Among the injured was 32-year-old Radheshyam Choudhary, who managed to walk approximately 600 meters from the explosion site before collapsing from his burn injuries. Arising from the inferno, he was recorded pleading for help, but tragically succumbed to severe burns impacting 85% of his body shortly after.
His brother, Akheram, later recounted the harrowing events of the day, stating, “My brother managed to recite my phone number before he lost consciousness. He was asking for help, but all the bystanders just filmed him.” This disturbing trend of filming rather than assisting has raised concerns about societal responses to emergencies.
Emergency responders reported the chaos, with many victims suffering from severe lung burns and requiring immediate care. The situation was described as dire, with Dr. Sushil Bhati from SMS Hospital confirming, “We are treating numerous patients with extensive injuries. Many are receiving ventilator support.”
A special investigation team (SIT) of the Rajasthan police has been formed to probe the circumstances surrounding the accident. SIT officials are reviewing transport regulations and accident protocols, emphasizing their intention to understand the infrastructure's role, particularly highlighting the absence of sufficient safety measures like cloverleaf roads where the collision occurred.
Ajay Arya, Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), noted, “The absence of cloverleaf roads for heavy vehicles contributed to the accident. After discussions with authorities, we opened additional U-turn passages, but the design lacks safety due to speed vulnerabilities.”
The NHAI's preliminary report suggested implementing 24-hour police presence near U-turns to prevent future accidents, as well as calls for improved signage to guide drivers effectively.
Significantly, the human response during this crisis was evident as well. Rakesh Saini, a 20-year-old from the area, became renowned for his heroic actions. When screams broke the calm of the early morning from injured survivors fleeing the flames, he quickly deployed his ladder to help dozens of victims escape over the hospital wall, facilitating their immediate access to medical help.
“They were begging for water and clothes to ease their pain,” Saini recounted, reflecting on the desperate condition of the burn victims.
Support from the community surged as local residents sprang to aid the victims. Dr. Raman Kandoi, of Kandoi Hospital, noted how his facility was overwhelmed with patients suffering from severe burns, requiring rapid transport to SMS Hospital—completed through multiple ambulance runs—a direct consequence of the emergency Bhanwar Lal's family faced as they opened their home to the injured.
With the death toll rising, authorities are concatenation efforts to honor the 'real heroes' who dashed to help their fellow citizens without hesitation, with police vowing to identify and recognize these life-savers.
Yet, amid the sorrow, the tragedy has sparked urgent conversations about highway safety regulations and enforcement of strict guidelines for transporting hazardous materials. This catastrophe has highlighted necessary reforms, reflecting on the need for stricter adherence to transport safety protocols amid rapidly increasing vehicular traffic on highways.
The Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety is set to review the incident thoroughly, promising accountability and seeking to implement preventive measures moving forward. With hearings scheduled for January 10, 2025, the public awaits clarity on the urgent need for safety improvements along one of Rajasthan's busiest highways.
Despite the devastating loss of life, the bravery displayed by ordinary citizens during the crisis exemplifies the indomitable human spirit and the communal support needed during such heart-wrenching events. With both tragedy and heroism captured so vividly during this horrific incident, it serves as both a reminder and rallying cry for enhanced safety on our roads.
