Rajasthan accident toll rises to 14

HC ISSUES NOTICES TO CENTRE, STATE GOVERNMENT

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The toll in the LPG tanker accident on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway rose to 14 after three more people succumbed on Saturday, while Rajasthan High Court issued notices to the central and the state governments after taking suo motu cognisance.

Issuing the notices, Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand listed the matter for further hearing on January 10.

A truck collided with an LPG tanker on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway early on Friday, turning the stretch into an inferno that engulfed nearly 40 vehicles.

The high court made some critical observations and said an unfortunate incident had snatched the lives of several people and caused severe life-threatening injuries to others.

“Suo motu cognisance is taken to find out the solutions to overcome such unfortunate incidents of fire at public places in the interest of the public at large,” it said.

In a related development, a committee constituted by the Jaipur district collector Jitendra Soni held its first meeting with the authorities concerned.

The committee is likely to submit its report on Monday.

So far, 14 people have died of injuries suffered in the blaze while 24 people, who suffered burn injuries, are undergoing treatment.