Two killed in Kerala gas tanker fire, highway cordoned off

KARUNAGAPALLY - Two people were killed and at least 20 injured early Thursday when a gas tanker lost control after it hit a car and turned over in a blaze of fire on a national highway in Kerala.

The raging fire on National Highway 47 at Karunagapally, 85 km from state capital Thiruvananthapuram, also destroyed a police jeep, a car and several two wheelers, police said. The highway continued to be cordoned off, hours after the incident.

The injured have been admitted to various hospitals in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. Six people are critical and three others stated to be serious following burn injuries, officials said.

The dead have been identified as Rashid, 32, and Biju, 34, both residents of Karunagapally.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who visited the accident site Thursday afternoon, said the immediate task was to see that the injured got proper treatment.

“Of course, there will be an inquiry into what happened. There are shortcomings because of adequate fire fighting equipment, but the police and fire force did a good job in the rescue operations,” said Balakrishnan.

Five police officials and some fire personnel also suffered burn injuries.

“A police jeep that arrived at the scene went up in flames. Those living in the vicinity have been evacuated and several fire engines toiled for hours together and the flames are now completely doused,” said an eyewitness, adding that there were concerns the entire lorry might explode.