Tanker Carrying Methanol Overturns On Mumbai-Pune Expressway, 4 Killed, Joint Relief Operation Launched

On the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Lonavala, a truck carrying highly flammable methanol overturned on Tuesday afternoon, killing four persons and causing injury to three others.

Victims and truck owner not identified

One of those killed was a passenger on the tanker, while three others were riding motorcycles next to it. The victims haven’t yet been named. The tanker first caught fire before it exploded, spraying the bike riders with hot chemical balls. According to a police officer from Pune Rural, the accident happened on a highway overbridge close to the hill resort of Lonavala. The truck’s owner has not yet been identified.

A joint relief operation started by emergency response teams

From 11.40 am to 12.40 pm on that day, officials were compelled to stop traffic because of the overturned tanker’s flames each side of the highway. A joint relief effort was started by several emergency response teams from the INS Shivaji training centre of the Indian Navy, the Highway Safety Patrol, the Motorway Emergency Response body, the Pune Disaster Management Cell, and fire brigades from the municipal councils of Lonavala and Khopoli.

What did the police say?

Pune Rural Superintendent of Police, 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. The identities of the deceased and injured are being ascertained. All have suffered severe burn injuries.”

Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, tweeted his sympathies regarding the terrible tragedy.

Under the Energy Policy Act of 1992, methanol, a chemical that is extremely flammable, is regarded as an alternative fuel but it isn’t utilised as a commercial transportation fuel.

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