The capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur, witnessed a severe traffic tragedy on the afternoon of the 3rd local time. A truck driver suspected of drunk driving lost control at high speed on a city road, continuously crashing into 17 cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians, resulting in at least 19 deaths and dozens severely injured. The scene was chaotic and bloody.
According to reports from NDTV, India Today, and other major Indian media outlets, CCTV footage showed the truck running wild like a rampaging horse into the crowded traffic, relentlessly crashing along the way. Multiple vehicles were hit so hard that they were twisted out of shape, while motorcycles were directly knocked flying or dragged underneath the truck. The truck finally stopped only after crashing into a trailer parked at the end of the pier. Police and rescue personnel arrived at the scene and rescued trapped people from the twisted wreckage.
●Witness: The driver was extremely drunk
Witnesses described that at the time, the driver was “clearly extremely drunk,” and the truck “did not slow down, running over everything in its path.” A survivor, Surinder, said: “The truck came from the direction of Lohamandi, the driver was completely out of control and reeked of alcohol, my car was smashed on the spot.”
According to India Today, preliminary statistics indicate that 19 people have died and at least 10 are severely injured, with many of the injured in critical condition.
Local media reported that several families were wiped out in the accident. In one case, a family of five returning home after a religious prayer perished when their vehicle was rammed into the roadside guardrail by the truck—all five were killed on the spot. In another case, a man taking his two nieces to the bus station was struck in an instant; the man and one of his nieces lost their lives, while the other remains in critical care.
Police stated that the driver has been detained and sent to the hospital for blood tests to determine his blood alcohol level. Preliminary investigation reveals he was likely operating the heavy truck under the influence, causing the vehicle to lose control.
Indian Prime Minister Modi also expressed deep condolences over the accident. In a post on social media, he stated: “Deeply saddened by the loss of life in the Jaipur accident, my condolences to the families of the deceased and I wish a speedy recovery for the injured.”
Modi also announced that through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), the family of each deceased will receive 200,000 rupees (9,477 ringgit) in compensation, while the seriously injured will receive 50,000 rupees (2,370 ringgit) in aid.