A chemical-laden tanker on Pune-Mumbai Expressway caught fire and exploded on Tuesday resulting in death of four people, police said.
Three people were injured in the fatal accident and the traffic on the expressway was impacted for hours.
According to officials from Lonavala police station, the accident took place on the expressway stretch between Lonavala and Khandala. A tanker caught fire and exploded, causing fiery balls of chemicals to fall on motorists travelling on the road below.
“Four motorists on the road below sustained injuries, of which three died, while one occupant of the tanker was killed and two others in the vehicle were injured”, he added.
Soon after the accident, the state police, highway police, personnel from INS Shivaji (an Indian naval station located in Lonavala) and the fire brigade have reached the spot. They successfully brought fire under control and started rescue work.
Initially, traffic was diverted from Lonavala city, but later resumed on the expressway.
Following the incident, Maharashtra deputy state chief Devendra Fadnavis paid condolences to the families of the victims, adding that the state government was “keeping a close eye on the situation”.