Kaushambi: At least five people were killed and several others injured after an LPG tanker burst into flames following a collision at a toll plaza in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district.
The accident occurred after the tanker hit a wall at the Kokhraj toll plaza, triggering a massive gas leak followed by a devastating fire.
CCTV footage of the incident showed the gas-laden tanker approaching the toll plaza before thick white fumes began spreading across the area. The leaked gas soon ignited, engulfing the tanker and nearby toll booths in flames, News18 reported.
The explosion reduced the toll plaza to ashes and caused extensive damage to nearby vehicles.
While tanker driver, Dharmendra Dubey (40), and toll employee Alok Singh (26) died at the spot, passerby Anil Kumar (29), Hiramani Singh (29), a resident of Raebareli, and Krishan Pal Maurya (23), a resident of Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh, succumbed to their injuries at hospital, PTI reported.
Atul Mishra, the lone survivor among those who sustained serious burn injuries, has been shifted from SRN Hospital in Prayagraj to a hospital in Rewa for further treatment, the news agency further reported.
Two cars and 16 motorcycles belonging to toll employees were also destroyed in the blaze.
Families of the deceased and toll plaza officials said they have not received any assurance of financial compensation from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) till now, and no official from the agency has visited them to offer condolences.
The footage showed two LPG tankers approaching the toll plaza. One of the tankers suddenly swerved, mounted the divider and crashed into the toll booths.
