When dreams died young: 8 dead in Rajasthan tanker blaze were under 40

A fiery highway accident near Jaipur claimed eight lives, all under 40, and left several critically injured. The victims, many with promising futures and young families, were traveling on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway when the tragedy struck. Several remain hospitalized with severe burns, fighting for their lives.

JAIPUR: All eight persons who succumbed to burn injuries sustained in the fire that followed the accident at Bhankrota on Jaipur-Ajmer highway on Friday were under 40 years of age - all in their prime, either planning their careers, or had recently started families. Those currently on ventilator support at SMS Hospital here are under 30 years. Mohammad Faizan, approaching his 21st birthday, was to be married soon.

"He was my only son, cheerful and always spread happiness. The entire neighbourhood is mourning his untimely death. He got engaged recently and the wedding was scheduled for Oct next year," said Mohammad Salim, Faizan's father, who runs a restaurant in Udaipur.

Faizan was travelling from Udaipur to Jaipur when he sustained grievous burns in Bhankrota. Mahendra Chaudhary, 24, was enthusiastic about starting his business. "We are into farming but Mahendra preferred business over agriculture.

He was employed at a transport firm in Kota to understand business intricacies as he wanted to work briefly before launching his venture. His sudden death has devastated us. He was the family's financial support, being the eldest among four siblings," Mahendra's uncle, Madhoram Chaudhary said.

He was aboard the bus from Jaipur to Kishangarh. Vijeta Meena, 23, aspired to become an educator. She remains critical on ventilator support in ICU of SMS Hospital, having suffered 70% burn injuries.

Meena had secured admission for her BEd course as she wanted to be a teacher. She was returning from an examination in Udaipur when the incident happened," Ram Chandra Meena, a govt school teacher from Vijeta's hometown Pratapgarh, said. The deceased include Govind Narayan (32) from Kekri, Har Lal (34) from Rajpura, Mahendra (24) from Parbatsar, Radheshyam (32), Rajuram Baberwal (40) from Sikar, Shahbuddin (34) from Amethi, Shahid (34) and Faizan (20) from Udaipur.

Dr RK Jain, senior professor (burn and plastic surgery), SMS Hospital said, "Majority of the injured and those who died are quite young. Those who died were critical at the time they reached the hospital." Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India .

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