At least 15 people died and two others suffered injuries on Sunday, November 2, 2025, when a tempo traveller collided with a stationary trailer truck in Rajasthan. The tragic accident occurred near Matoda village in the Phalodi district, on the Bharatmala Expressway. All those killed were pilgrims returning from a temple visit.^[1][2][3][4] ### Deadly Collision Details Emerge The tempo traveller was reportedly traveling at a very high speed. The driver apparently lost control of the vehicle. This happened possibly after failing to spot the large stationary trailer truck in the darkness.^[1][2][5][6] The tempo then rammed directly into the back of the parked truck.^[1][2] One witness, Mahipal Saran, said the tempo was trying to overtake another truck when it hit the stationary trailer.^[2][3][6] The truck was parked on the side of the highway, in front of a small roadside eatery.^[2][3][6] The impact of the collision was extremely severe. The front portion of the tempo traveller was completely crushed, leaving the vehicle mangled.^{[1][2][3][5][6]} Many bodies were trapped inside the twisted metal and seats.^[3] ### Pilgrims Returning from Temple Journey All the deceased were residents of the Sursagar area in Jodhpur.^[1][2][4][6] Some reports also identified their origin as Nainchi Bagh near Chandpol Bada Ramdevra in Jodhpur.^[2][6] They were returning home after visiting the Kolayat temple in Bikaner district.^{[1][2][4][7][6]} The group had offered prayers at the Kapil Muni Ashram on the occasion of Devuthani Ekadashi.^[2][4][6] Among the 15 fatalities were 10 women and four children.^[2][3][6] The tempo driver also died at the scene.^[3] Jodhpur Police Commissioner Om Prakash confirmed the immediate fatalities, stating, "Fifteen passengers died on the spot."^[2][5][6] ### Emergency Response and Official Condolences Rescue operations began immediately after the crash. Police teams, assisted by local residents and other motorists, worked to extricate the bodies and help the injured.^[8][7][5] Phalodi Station House Officer Amanaram described the challenging conditions. "The bodies were jammed in the seats due to the force of the impact. It took great effort to remove them," he said.^[8][7][5] The two injured individuals, both women, sustained serious injuries.^[2][6] They received initial treatment at a hospital in Osian.^[2][4][6] Later, a green corridor facilitated their transfer to hospitals in Jodhpur, including Mathuradas Mathur and Mahatma Gandhi hospitals, for specialized medical care.^{[2][3][8][5][6]} All bodies were sent to Jodhpur for post-mortem examinations, which were scheduled for Monday morning.^[2][3] Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragic loss of lives. "Saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Phalodi district, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," the PMO stated in a post on X.^[1][9] The Prime Minister also announced financial assistance. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. T^{[1][2][5][9][6]}he injured individuals will receive ₹50,000 each. Raj^{[1][2][5][9][6]}asthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also conveyed his sorrow over the incident. He instructed officials to ensure all possible assistance to the victims' families and provide proper medical care for the injured. Pha^[2][3][4][7]lodi Superintendent of Police Kundan Kanwaria and Jodhpur Police Commissioner Om Prakash were among the officials overseeing the response and investigation. Th^{[2][8][7][5][6]}e accident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety on national highways, particularly regarding stationary vehicles and speeding. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the collision.

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