9 dead as chemical-laden truck collides with vehicles in west India

NEW DELHI, December 20 — At least nine persons died and over 35 were injured after a truck carrying a chemical substance hit other vehicles in India's western state of Rajasthan early on Friday, confirmed a local police.

The mishap occurred on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway near the Bhankrota area. There were a couple of petrol pumps in the immediate vicinity of the site of the mishap, which were fortunately safe.

The injured, many of whom were in serious condition, were rushed to a government hospital in the state capital city of Jaipur. The death toll was feared to rise. "Around 24-25 people have been admitted to the ICU. More people are coming.

Many people have been injured in the incident. It is a severe accident," media reports quoted SMS Medical College Principal Deepak Maheshwari as saying. The fire engulfed nearly 40 vehicles, including trucks and private cars.

Fire tenders faced a tough task in dousing the fire. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma reached the hospital where the injured were admitted. He said all possible efforts were being made to carry out the rescue and relief work.