Fifteen people were killed and two others injured when a tempo traveller crashed into a parked truck on the Bharat Mala Expressway in Rajasthan’s Phalodi on Sunday night.
According to Phalodi Superintendent of Police Kundan Kanwaria, the victims were returning to Jodhpur after visiting the Kolayat temple, around 220 kilometres away. All the victims were residents of the Phalodi area in Jodhpur.
The injured were initially taken to a nearby hospital and later shifted to Jodhpur via a green corridor for advanced treatment.
“Fifteen passengers died on the spot, while two women sustained serious injuries. The injured were first taken to a hospital in Osian and later referred to Jodhpur,” Jodhpur Police Commissioner Om Prakash said.
Police added that the speeding tempo traveller rammed into a stationary truck on the roadside, leaving the vehicle completely mangled. The impact was so severe that several passengers were trapped inside the wreckage.
According to a witness, small roadside eateries had been set up along the Bharat Mala Highway and the trailer was parked in front of one of those eateries. The tempo traveller, running at high speed, was trying to overtake a truck when it suddenly rammed into the stationary trailer.
Police teams, along with local residents and passing motorists, carried out rescue operations to retrieve the bodies and assist the injured. “The bodies were stuck in the seats due to the force of the collision. We faced great difficulty in removing them,” said Phalodi Police Station Officer Amanaram.
Jodhpur Police Commissioner Om Prakash Mathuradas Mathur and Superintendent Vikas Rajpurohit visited the hospital to review the treatment arrangements for the injured. Rescue and relief operations continued late into the night as authorities worked to identify the victims and inform their families.
PRESIDENT, PM CONDOLES DEATHS, ANNOUNCES AID
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. The Prime Minister’s Office also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
“Saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Phalodi district, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” PM Modi tweeted.
The President described it as an “extremely heartbreaking” incident, expressing her condolences and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
“The news of the deaths of many people in the road accident that occurred in Phalodi, Rajasthan, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy and pray for the swift recovery of those who have been injured,” she tweeted.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said that “the loss of life in the road accident in the Matoda area of Phalodi is deeply tragic and heartbreaking.”
“District administration officials have been instructed to ensure proper treatment for all the injured. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured,” he added.
Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed his sorrow over the incident.
He tweeted, “I have just received news in Patna that 18 people have died in a road accident in Matoda, Phalodi. I am deeply saddened to hear this. I pray to God to grant all the deceased a place in His feet, give courage to their families, and grant a speedy recovery to the injured”.
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