Five Pilgrims Killed, Three Critically Injured in Rajasthan Highway Crash

A tragic road accident on the Jodhpur National Highway in Rajasthan's Balotra district claimed the lives of five pilgrims and left three others critically injured, police said on Monday. The accident occurred late on Sunday night when the victims were returning from the Padasla Bhomiyaji Temple in Osian. According to police, the SUV carrying eight people from Kanod village in the Baytu area collided with an unidentified heavy vehicle near Bhandiyawas around midnight. The impact of the collision was severe, leaving the SUV extensively damaged. Two young occupants trapped inside the vehicle died on the spot and were pulled out after a prolonged rescue operation. Another injured pilgrim later succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at Nahata District Hospital in Balotra. The remaining five injured victims were referred to Jodhpur due to the seriousness of their condition. During treatment, two more victims died, taking the total death toll in the accident to five. The deceased have been identified as Kishan, son of Sheraram, a resident of Kanod; Bhavesh, son of Kalaram, also from Kanod; Rewant Marudhar; Swaroop Godara; and Bharat Godara. The three surviving victims are currently undergoing treatment in Jodhpur, where their condition is reported to be critical. Local residents rushed to the scene after hearing the crash and alerted the police. Rescue teams, assisted by villagers, worked together to extricate the trapped passengers before shifting the injured to hospitals. The bodies of the deceased have been kept at the mortuary of Nahata District Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police have launched a search for the unidentified heavy vehicle involved in the collision and are investigating the exact cause of the accident. Officials said further legal proceedings will continue after the completion of the post-mortem examinations and identification formalities.