Maharashtra: Four Charred to Death, 3 Critical in Tanker Fire on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

PUNE: Four people were burnt to death and three others received critical injuries from burns following the overturning of a tanker carrying methanol near Lonavala on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway at around 11.40 am on Tuesday, officials said.

A devastating fire resulted from the spilling of the highly inflammable and toxic chemical.

A Pune Rural police officer said the accident happened on an overbridge a small distance from the hill station of Lonavala. Investigations are on to determine the cause of the accident.

Details regarding the ownership and operation of the tanker, which was travelling on the Pune to Mumbai lane of the expressway, which is 94 km long, are being ascertained by the police.

Following the entire tanker’s going up in flames, traffic was closed on both sides of the expressway by the Highway Safety Patrol authorities between 11.40 am and 12.40 pm. However, small vehicles were diverted through the Khandala exit, officials said.

A relief operation was launched by emergency response teams from Pune Rural police, Pune Disaster Management Cell, Highway Safety Patrol, Expressway emergency response body, Lonavala and Khopoli municipal councils’ fire brigades and personnel from the Indian Navy’s Lonavala-based training facility nearby.

In-charge of Lonavala police station, Inspector Sitaram Dubal, said that it was initially thought to be an oil tanker. But it was soon revealed in the probe that it was carrying methanol.

“Of the four people who died, one was in the tanker cabin and the rest were in vehicles passing below the bridge. Of the three injured, two were in the tanker cabin and one was on a vehicle below,” Dubal said.

Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Ankit Goyal said, “Primary probe suggests the methanol may have leaked from the gaps on the structure of the bridge’s surface or the side walls.”

He said that the identities of those who died and the injured were still being ascertained. All of them are said to have suffered severe burn injuries.

“Our initial priority has been to ensure evacuation and emergency medical care and resuming traffic on the expressway,” he added.

Initially the fire was brought under control the fire, then it intensified and later it was brought under control again, officials said.

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