Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur

Jaipur, Nov 2: At least 18 people were killed and six others injured early Sunday morning after a tempo traveller carrying pilgrims rammed into a stationary trailer truck near Matoda in the Phalodi subdivision of Rajasthan’s Jodhpur district, police said.

The victims, residents of Sursagar in Jodhpur, were returning home after attending the Kolayat fair in Bikaner when their vehicle collided with a trailer parked by the roadside about 160 km from Jodhpur city.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver was speeding and failed to notice the stationary trailer due to low visibility in the early hours,” said a senior officer from Matoda Police Station.

The impact of the collision was so severe that the front portion of the tempo traveller was completely crushed, trapping several passengers inside. Local residents, along with police personnel from nearby stations, rushed to the scene and launched a rescue operation to pull victims from the mangled wreckage.

The injured passengers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were sent for post-mortem examinations. Police and district officials have reached the site, and efforts are underway to identify all victims and notify their families.

Sources said the trailer, which the tempo traveller crashed into, was carrying construction material. Police have registered a case and are conducting a mechanical inspection of both vehicles to determine whether brake failure or driver fatigue played a role in the accident.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed officials to ensure that the injured receive immediate medical care.

“The loss of lives in the road accident near Matoda is extremely tragic and heart-rending. My condolences are with the bereaved families. I have instructed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured and pray for their speedy recovery,” Sharma wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Authorities said the accident highlights ongoing concerns over speeding and inadequate roadside safety measures, particularly during the early morning hours when visibility is low.