Jaipur: At least 12 persons were killed when a bus they were travelling in caught fire after colliding with a truck trailer at the Jodhpur National Highway in Barmer district on Wednesday, police said.
Dense fumes could be seen emanating from the burning vehicle, eyewitnesses said.
Police and fire brigade team rushed to the site and efforts were on to douse the flames and rescue the passengers.
Recounting the horror, a survivor said that the trailer was coming from the wrong side and rammed into the bus carrying 20 to 25 passengers.
Around a dozen passengers were rescued and moved to hospital.
Officials said that the exact number of casualties can be ascertained only after the fire is put out.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his condolences on the deaths in a road accident at the Barmer-Jodhpur highway in Rajasthan.
“It is saddening that people have lost their lives due to a bus-tanker collision at the Barmer-Jodhpur Highway in Rajasthan. In this hour of grief, my condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that the injured have a quick recovery,” tweeted Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Following the accident, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took stock of the situation and directed officials to conduct relief and rescue operations at the earliest.
Gehlot directed the District Collector regarding relief and rescue operations and asked him to ensure medical treatment for the injured.
