Kaushambi LPG tanker explosion: Tanker crashes into toll plaza in Uttar Pradesh; 5 dead, CCTC footage surfaces
Five persons lost their lives after an LPG tanker crashed into a toll plaza and exploded in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district. The incident also left several injured and destroyed multiple vehicles
Kaushambi LPG Tanker explosion: At least five persons were killed and several others sustained serious injuries after an LPG tanker rammed into a toll plaza and exploded in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district, causing a massive fire that engulfed the area.
The accident occurred at around 6.40 am on June 26, when the tanker, travelling from Kanpur to Pratapgarh, reportedly lost control while approaching the toll plaza. CCTV footage of the incident, which surfaced on Thursday, captured the dramatic sequence of events leading up to the explosion.
The video shows two LPG tankers nearing the toll booths before one of them suddenly veers off course, strikes a road divider and crashes into the toll plaza. Soon after the impact, gas began leaking from the damaged tanker, followed by a powerful explosion that sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
According to officials, the fire spread rapidly due to the highly flammable LPG, with flames visible from nearly two k km away. The intensity of the blaze created panic among commuters and toll plaza staff.
The tanker driver, identified as Dharmendra Dubey (40), and toll plaza employee Alok Singh died at the scene. Several other employees suffered severe burn injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals, where three later succumbed to their injuries, taking the death toll to five.
The explosion also destroyed 16 motorcycles and two cars parked near the toll plaza after they caught fire. Emergency services, including all available fire brigade units in the district and local police teams, were deployed to contain the blaze and secure the area. Authorities temporarily allowed vehicles to pass through the toll plaza without collecting toll fees to ease traffic congestion while rescue and firefighting operations were underway.
Officials have constituted a technical investigation team to determine the exact cause of the crash and examine the circumstances that led to the LPG leak and subsequent explosion.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are expected to submit a detailed report after examining the tanker, CCTV footage and other evidence.
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