Death toll in Jaipur LPG tanker crash rises to 14

The death toll in the LPG tanker accident on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway rose to 14 on Dec 21, an official said here.

He said more than 30 people who suffered burn injuries in the massive crash are undergoing treatment.

"Five charred bodies were received yesterday. Eight others have died. Total 14 deaths have been reported so far. Twenty-seven patients are admitted to SMS Hospital and undergoing treatment. Seven are on ventilator support," Dr Sushil Bhati, Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital Superintendent, said.

He added that the body of one more victim was taken to another hospital.

Five bodies are yet to be identified, Bhati said.

A chemical-laden truck hit the LPG tanker on the highway in the Bhankrota area of Jaipur in the early hours of Dec 20, sparking a massive fire that engulfed more than 35 vehicles.

Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar said on Dec 20 that the condition of about half of the injured was "very critical".

Most of the people injured in the accident are admitted to the 'Burn Unit' of the SMS Hospital here.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot Dec 21 met with the victims admitted to the Sawai Man Singh Hospital here and demanded a detailed probe into the incident.

"Our condolence to the families whose members have died. Best-quality medical help is being provided to those injured by the doctors at SMS Hospital," Pilot told reporters after meeting the victims.

"We should investigate the entire incident and its reasons which led to such a tragedy. Be it traffic rules, road construction and precautions that have to be taken on highways, we need to study it," he added.

Pilot said that should be a fair and transparent investigation.

"We all know about the accident spot. Why construction work was not completed, who is the contractor and agency? We need to know the facts after a detailed probe," he said.

Pilot said that the way the number of vehicles is increasing, accidents are also rising in the country. "Governments will have to seriously think whether safety norms are being followed or not," he said.

(PTI)