A tempo traveler collided with a parked trailer truck in Phalodi, Rajasthan on Sunday evening. At least 15 people, including 10 women and four children, died and two others were injured in this horrific accident. Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced ex-gratia amount.
According to Jodhpur Police Commissioner Om Prakash, the incident took place near Matoda village on Bharat Mala Highway when the tempo traveler was going to Jodhpur carrying devotees from Kolayat temple in Bikaner.
“15 passengers died on the spot, while two women were seriously injured. The injured were first taken to a hospital in Osian and later referred to Jodhpur,” the official said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of life and property in the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
According to officials, all the victims were residents of Nainchi Bagh near Chandpol Bada Ramdevra in Jodhpur. He was returning from Kolayat temple in Bikaner after offering prayers at Kapil Muni Ashram on the occasion of Devuthani Ekadashi.
It is noteworthy that this accident happened about 80 kilometers ahead of Jodhpur. Mahipal Saran, an eyewitness to the accident, said that there were small roadside eateries along the Bharat Mala Highway.
He told, “The trailer was standing in front of one of those dhabas. The tempo traveler running at high speed was trying to overtake a truck, when suddenly it collided with the parked trailer.”
The collision was so severe that the front part of the tempo traveler was completely damaged.
Osian Upazila Hospital in-charge Dr. Pradeep Singh Chaudhary said that all the bodies have been sent to Jodhpur’s Mathuradas Mathur and Mahatma Gandhi Hospital for post-mortem, which will be done on Monday morning.
Expressing grief over the deaths in a post on Instagram, Prime Minister Modi said, “I am saddened by the loss of lives in the accident in Phalodi, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
He announced that an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, while Rs 50,000 would be given to the injured.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also expressed deep grief over this tragedy and directed the officials to provide all possible assistance to the families of the victims and ensure proper medical care to the injured.
Expressing condolences, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that this incident is very sad. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Health Minister Gajendra Singh and former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and other leaders have also expressed grief over this tragic accident.
