NEW DELHI (AP) – A tragic accident occurred late Sunday in Rajasthan, India, where a minibus collided with a parked truck, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 individuals and injuring two others, according to local authorities. The incident highlights ongoing traffic safety issues in the region.
The victims were returning to the desert city of Jodhpur after participating in a pilgrimage in the town of Kolayat, dedicated to a Hindu deity. Among the deceased are 10 women, four children, and the driver of the minibus, as reported by senior government official Shweta Chauhan. The injured passengers are currently receiving medical care at a local hospital.
The wreckage from the accident revealed the extent of the tragedy, as the minibus was reduced to a mangled heap of metal. Authorities indicated that the passengers were trapped in the debris, underscoring the severity of the impact. Senior police officer Kundan Kanwaria noted that the driver was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the disaster occurred, crashing into the truck that was parked on the highway.
Kanwaria commented on the circumstances of the accident, stating, “It seems the driver couldn’t even apply the brakes before hitting the truck.” This remark highlights the rapid sequence of events that led to the deadly crash. The issue of poorly parked vehicles on highways is a long-standing concern in India. Trucks and trailers often park haphazardly, lacking necessary warning lights or reflectors, which creates serious hazards for drivers, particularly at night. This negligent practice has been the cause of numerous fatal accidents in recent years.
The incident prompted condolences from prominent political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Both leaders expressed their sorrow over the loss of life and extended their sympathies to the families affected by the tragedy. Their responses reflect the societal and governmental concern surrounding traffic safety in India.
This incident in Rajasthan follows another recent disaster in the same state, which occurred less than three weeks earlier. A suspected short circuit caused a passenger bus to catch fire, engulfing the vehicle in flames and claiming the lives of at least 20 individuals. Such incidents are raising alarms about public safety measures and the urgency of addressing road safety issues across the nation.
In summary, the catastrophic minibus accident in Rajasthan serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges related to traffic safety in India, particularly concerning the conditions of highways and the responsibilities of drivers. As the nation mourns the loss of life, it also faces the pressing need for improved safety regulations to prevent future tragedies.
