Fifteen people lost their lives and three others sustained injuries when a speeding tempo traveller collided with a parked truck on the Bharat Mala Expressway in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur district late Sunday night. Police said the group was returning to Jodhpur after visiting the Kolayat temple, located about 220 kilometres away, and all the victims belonged to the Phalodi area.
Authorities initially moved the injured to a nearby medical facility before transferring them to Jodhpur using a green corridor for advanced care. According to officials, the impact of the crash left the tempo traveller severely crushed, trapping several passengers inside. Police teams, assisted by locals and passing motorists, worked through considerable difficulty to extract the bodies and help the survivors.
Senior police officers, including Jodhpur Police Commissioner Om Prakash Mathuradas Mathur and Superintendent Vikas Rajpurohit, inspected the hospital to oversee treatment arrangements. Rescue and relief efforts continued through the night as authorities identified the victims and notified their families.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma called the incident deeply tragic and directed district officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed grief, offering condolences and wishing strength to the affected families and a quick recovery for those hurt.
