Jaipur, December 20: Passengers of a bus, which caught fire in the massive blaze that broke out near a petrol pump at Bhankrota on Friday morning on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway after a chemical-laden truck collided with an LPG tanker and several other vehicles, have recounted horrific scenes from the tragedy that has left at least nine people dead and over 40 injured. The bus was among the nearby vehicles that got caught in the fire that spread from the initial collision that took place at around 5:30 am today.

Speaking to ANI, an eyewitness recounted, "My friend and I were travelling from Rajsamand to Jaipur. Our bus suddenly stopped around 5.30 in the morning, and we heard a massive blast. There was fire everywhere around the bus. The door of the bus was locked, so we broke the window and jumped out. Along with us, around seven to eight more people jumped from the window. There were continuous blasts one after the other. There was a petrol pump nearby." Ajmer Fire: ‘Saw Man Engulfed in Flames’, Eyewitnesses Recount Horror After LPG Tanker Collides With Multiple Vehicles, Death Toll Rises to 8 (Videos).

"When we woke up at 5.30 in the morning, we heard a blast. Those who were able to jump out of the bus survived, while those who couldn't were burned there. A whole lane of 100-200 metres was burned," another eyewitness told ANI. Union Minister Bhagirath Chaudhary called termed it "a very tragic incident" and mentioned that Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma was present at the site. He further added that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Chief Minister. Jaipur Fire: PM Narendra Modi Condoles Loss of Lives on Ajmer Highway in Rajasthan; Announces Ex-Gratia of INR 2 Lakh for Next of Kin of Deceased.

Superintendent Sushil Kumar Bhati of Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital where the injured from the accident were rushed to said, "A blaze broke out in a CNG tanker near Bhankrota, causing several nearby buses and vehicles to catch fire." "Currently, 42 injured people have been admitted here, and seven fatalities have been confirmed. Around 10 patients have severe burns of more than 60 per cent, with six patients on ventilators. The situation is under control, and treatment is underway."

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)