Tragedy struck near Jodhpur as a tempo traveller carrying pilgrims collided with a stationary trailer truck, claiming 15 lives, including four children and ten women.

JODHPUR/JAISALMER: At least 15 pilgrims, including four children and 10 women, were killed and two others injured when a tempo traveller collided with a stationary trailer truck near Matoda village in Phalodi district on Sunday evening. The injured were rushed to a hospital in Jodhpur via a green corridor.Phalodi district collector Shweta Chouhan confirmed 15 deaths on the spot. Apart from the women and children, the tempo driver also died on the spot, she said.Matoda SHO Amnaram said the ill-fated tempo was carrying pilgrims from the Mali community, belonging to the Soorsagar area of Jodhpur, who had gone on a pilgrimage to Kolayat in Bikaner district, “They were returning to Jodhpur. Near Matoda on the Bharatmala Highway, the speeding tempo rammed into a stationary trailer at about 7pm,” he said, adding that the exact cause of the accident is not known yet.Eyewitness Mahipal Saran said trucks were often haphazardly parked along the route after small roadside eateries sprung up along the Bharatmala Highway. The tempo traveller was attempting to overtake another truck when it collided with the stationary trailer parked in front of a dhaba.All passengers were trapped inside the mangled vehicle, with many bodies trapped in the twisted metal and seats. The impact was so loud that people from nearby areas rushed to the scene and launched a rescue operation.Rescue operations were launched immediately, with police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local villagers working together to extract the injured and deceased from the wreckage. Two injured passengers were initially taken to Osiyan govt hospital, but were referred to a hospital in Jodhpur due to the severity of their injuries.All the bodies have been kept in the mortuary of the Osian govt hospital. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed grief over the incident and instructed officials to ensure all possible assistance to the victims’ families and proper medical care for the injured.Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot also mourned the loss of lives. In a post on X, he said, “I have just received the news that 15 people have died in a road accident in Matoda, Phalodi. Hearing this, my heart is extremely saddened. I pray to God to grant a place at His holy feet to all the deceased, give strength to their families, and a speedy recovery to the injured.”