Gas leak from overturned tanker, road link closed

Tension ran high among the local residents after a gas tanker overturned at Moinaguri on National Highway 31 after being hit by a speeding truck from behind.

As a result of the incident, gas started spreading in the area with people running helter skelter.

Four fire tenders were swung into action to check the spread of the gas in the locality. The district administration asked the local people not to light any sort of fire.

Even the electricity supply in that particular area was disconnected. Police said that the tanker on its way to Assam was parked on the roadside when it was hit by a truck and it overturned near the BDO office at Moinaguri. 

After being informed, police reached the spot and cordoned off the entire area. Fire brigade personnel also reached the spot to bring the situation under control. The incident led to the shutdown of National Highway 31 and vehicles were stranded in a long queue.

Local people told the police that someone pelted stones at Faizul Haq, the driver of tanker. He received severe injuries on his face and stopped the gas tanker near a petrol pump. Local people rushed the driver to Moinaguri primary health centre where he is currently undergoing treatment.

When the gas tanker was parked on the roadside, another truck coming from behind lost control and rammed into the tanker which eventually fell in a nearby ditch. The gas started leaking within a few minutes triggering panic among the local residents. 

Local people said that they were asked to not to light up ovens for cooking as it might turn fatal. They also alleged that the district administration did not have adequate arrangements to provide them food and they had to remain empty stomached for a long time.

A senior official of the fire brigade said that they informed the matter to the Indian Oil Corporation that had sent some of its employees to the spot. They repaired the leakage in the gas tanker.