At least four people were killed and three others injured after a chemical tanker caught fire on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Tuesday, triggering a massive traffic jam and a hazardous chemical spill on one of India’s busiest highways.
The tragedy occurred around 12 noon on a bridge in the Khandala ghat section near Lonavala, according to officials. The tanker burst into flames that witnesses said reached 15 to 16 metres into the air, and the blaze was visible from a considerable distance. Hundreds of litres of unidentified chemicals seeped onto the road surface, creating a skidding hazard — a speeding two-wheeler reportedly skidded on the spilled chemicals, leaving a man and a minor boy seriously injured.
Fire brigade teams rushed to the spot, but their movement was hampered by a traffic jam stretching 7 to 8 kilometres on the Mumbai-bound carriageway. A crane was deployed to shift the burning tanker a safe distance from the highway lanes while firefighters battled the blaze. Burning chemicals also fell onto the road under the bridge near Kunegaon village, halting traffic below.
Highway authorities diverted Mumbai-bound traffic via the Lonavala bypass, while movement towards Pune was allowed to proceed slowly. The cause of the fire is not yet clear, and officials said further details were awaited as firefighting and rescue operations continued.
Local witnesses described scenes of panic as the flames engulfed the tanker and chemical fumes spread across the ghat section. Emergency services cordoned off the affected stretch as a precaution.
The identities of the deceased had not been officially released at the time of filing. This is a developing story; updates will follow as officials confirm more details.
