JAIPUR: The death toll in Friday’s fatal collision between an LPG tanker and a container truck on Jaipur-Ajmer national highway rose to 15, as two critically injured persons succumbed during treatment at SMS Hospital on Tuesday.
The latest victims, Naresh Babu from Etah in UP and Yusuf from Bhilwara in Rajasthan, had suffered 80% and 90% burns, respectively, and had been on ventilator support since Friday.
A senior police officer indicated Tuesday that individuals found negligent would be named in the FIR that was filed against unidentified persons. Investigators are scrutinising various aspects, including safety protocols, and the conduct of both the tanker and truck drivers, along with their assistants. “Whether the contractor and the individuals operating the tanker adhered to safety protocols after the leak is also under investigation,” the officer added.
Authorities have requested information from Bharat Petroleum about regulations governing petroleum, oil and gas transport, and are awaiting the details.
Police have recorded statements of 30 people, including LPG tanker driver, witnesses and owners of vehicles destroyed in the fire. Tanker driver Jaiveer Singh, who underwent another round of questioning on Tuesday, told police that after being hit by the truck, gas started leaking from the tanker and turned into a fireball. “I stopped on the Ring Road, called up the tanker owner, Anil Kumar, to inform him about the incident, and then switched off my phone,” Singh told cops. Sleuths have called Delhi-based Kumar for questioning to corroborate the driver’s statement.