• Source:JND
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Bhankrota Fire Accident: The death toll in the horrific accident climbed to 14 on Saturday with over 30 injured. The explosion took place early on Friday morning after a Bharat Petroleum tanker, en-route from Ajmer to Jaipur, attempted a U-turn but another truck approaching from the Jaipur side collided with the tanker.

A sleeper bus trailing the tanker and a pipe manufacturing factory nearby were fully overtaken by the raging fire.

The collision led to several vehicles catching fire. People abandoned their vehicles and fled the spot. Many who were unable to flee, got injured, while some also were burnt alive. CCTV footages showed flames erupted, people running on the road, their clothes ablaze, while others attempted to douse the flames.

The main exit door of the bus got jammed, trapping the 34 passengers inside. Rescuers struggled to free them, eventually pulling survivors through the driver's door. Nineteen bus passengers suffered severe burns, with many fatalities reported.

PM Modi Condoles Death, Announces Ex-Gratia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the loss of lives in the horrific accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.

"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the accident on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway in Rajasthan. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each." he wrote on X.

Eyewitnesses Recounts Horrific Experience

Passengers of a bus, which caught fire in the massive blaze that broke out near a petrol pump at Bhankrota ecounted horrific scenes from the tragedy that has left at least nine people dead and over 40 injured.

Speaking to ANI, an eyewitness recounted, "My friend and I were travelling from Rajsamand to Jaipur. Our bus suddenly stopped around 5.30 in the morning, and we heard a massive blast. There was fire everywhere around the bus. The door of the bus was locked, so we broke the window and jumped out. Along with us, around seven to eight more people jumped from the window. There were continuous blasts one after the other. There was a petrol pump nearby."

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"When we woke up at 5.30 in the morning, we heard a blast. Those who were able to jump out of the bus survived, while those who couldn't were burned there. A whole lane of 100-200 metres was burned," another eyewitness told ANI.

Rajasthan CM Announces Campaign To Curb Road Accidents

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday announced the launch of a special campaign to address black spots on roads in an effort to reduce accidents across the state. He emphasised the urgent identification and repair of accident-prone areas to minimise the loss of life and property due to vehicle collisions.

(With inputs from agency)