Jaipur, Oct 8 (NationPress) A catastrophic explosion occurred on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway, resulting in at least one fatality, with remains so extensively charred they were unidentifiable. Officials reported that bones and ashes were collected from the scene and taken to SMS Hospital in Jaipur, securely wrapped in a red bundle.

These remains have been sent to the hospital mortuary for forensic analysis, as stated by authorities.

The incident transpired on Tuesday night near the Sawarda culvert, where a truck laden with LPG cylinders was stationed adjacent to a dhaba.

A high-speed chemical tanker collided with the truck, igniting a series of fierce explosions as the LPG cylinders detonated sequentially. The blasts were so powerful that flames could be seen from a distance of up to two kilometers, and the sound echoed for several kilometers across the nearby villages. Five vehicles were engulfed in the fire.

Eyewitnesses reported that metal debris from the vehicles was propelled as far as 280 meters. Panic ensued as residents fled their homes while hotel staff scrambled for safety. Some individuals were trapped in the flames before they could escape.

Emergency responders, including police, firefighters, and SDRF teams, acted swiftly. Rescue and firefighting efforts persisted throughout the night, with six fire engines deployed for several hours to control the blaze.

The extreme heat radiating from the burning chemical tanker complicated the operation significantly. Dense smoke and hazardous fumes compelled rescue personnel to work with protective coverings over their faces. Traffic on both sides of the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway was halted, resulting in lengthy vehicle queues stranded overnight. The road was only reopened once the fire was completely extinguished and the area deemed safe.

By approximately 3 a.m., rescue teams retrieved charred remains—bones and ashes—which were then wrapped in a red cloth bundle and transported to the SMS Hospital mortuary in Jaipur.

Authorities indicated that the identification of the deceased would only be confirmed following analysis by a forensic science laboratory (FSL).

The driver and attendant of the tanker remain unaccounted for. Investigations into the cause of the collision and the identification of victims are ongoing. Further updates will follow as the forensic report is finalized.