One killed, two injured as crude oil tanker explodes

Times News NetworkKhargone: A 48-year-old man was killed and two including a tanker driver and a welding mechanic, were seriously injured after a crude oil tanker exploded during welding work in Khargone district on Saturday evening, police said.The incident occurred at Magarkhedi village under Khaltaka police outpost of Balakwada police station limits, on the the Agra-Mumbai National Highway.Khargone Superintendent of Police Ravindra Verma said that the explosion took place while welding was being carried out on the rear portion of a crude oil tanker at a welding shop in the village situated on national highway.The impact of the blast injured the tanker driver, the welder and a goat herder who was grazing animals nearby.

The explosion also shattered window panes of a private school and a nearby house..According to the SP, residual crude oil inside the tanker is suspected to have generated inflammable gases during the gas-welding process, triggering the explosion.Police rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information about the incident and initiated necessary action. The damaged tanker was shifted away from the National Highway, following which traffic movement was restored, added SP.

Khaltaka police outpost in charge Mithun Chauhan said the injured were taken to the Community Health Centre in Thikri, Barwani district, where goat herder Bhim Rokde (48), , was declared dead.He said, "Preliminary investigation revealed that the tanker had transported crude oil from Gadimoga coastal village in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh to Meghnagar in Jhabua district". After unloading its cargo, the tanker was returning when it was brought for welding work, during which the explosion occurred, he added.