Twelve people died after a bus they were travelling in caught fire after colliding with a trailer on the Jodhpur National Highway in Barmer district on Wednesday, 10 November, police said.
Eleven of these people were found dead at the spot of the accident, while one more person died at the Nahata Hospital in Balotra, where the injured were admitted.
Ten people have been rescued so far, reported India Today.
The accident occurred near Bhandiyawas village on the Barmer-Jodhpur National Highway.
Visuals from the scene showed dense fumes emanating from the burning vehicle.
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
The trailer was reportedly approaching from the wrong side and rammed into the bus, which was carrying 20 to 25 passengers.
Many officials including Divisional Commissioner Dr Rajesh Sharma, Minister of Forest and Environment Sukhram Vishnoi, and Pachpadra MLA Madan Prajapat reached the spot.
Prajapat, who was involved in the rescue work on the spot, said that 26 people were injured and admitted to the hospital.
The Prime Minister's Office tweeted, quoting PM Narendra Modi on the accident, calling it "saddening" and hoping that the injured recover quickly. It also announced that an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh would be given to the kin of each of those who had been killed in the accident, while the injured would be given Rs 50,000 each.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in a tweet said he had spoken to the Barmer district collector and asked him to ensure proper treatment for the injured.
Earlier, Superintendent of police, Deepak Bhargava, had said that around 23 injured people were admitted to the hospital, news agency ANI reported.
Visuals from the scene showed dense fumes emanating from the burning vehicle.
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
Visuals from the scene showed dense fumes emanating from the burning vehicle.
Barmer District Collector informed that the bus is further being examined for more bodies, while bodies of the deceased have been sent for DNA sampling.
Police and a fire brigade team rushed to the site of the accident to douse the flames. Rescue operations are currently underway.
(With inputs from India Today.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)