Atmosphere was rife with panic for around four hours after a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bullet tanker rolled down the National Highway, near Yelamanchili in Visakhapatnam here Wednesday.
Rumours about gas leakage stirred panic amongst the residents of Yelamanchili area, in the early hours of Wednesday. However, the situation was brought under control after the police and fire department personnel were deployed to the scene.
The LPG tanker heading towards Rajahmundry from Visakhapatnam, turned over and fell in the adjacent farm fields as the driver dozed off and lost control over the steering. The frightened residents immediately contacted the local police for rescue.
Yelamanchili Police said that the locals were mainly afraid because of a petrol bunk located in close proximity. The place was vacated as a precautionary step. Two fire tenders from Anakapalle fire station also reached the spot immediately. A technical team from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) was called to the place to check the status of gas leakage as the tanker was carrying 18 tonnes of LPG. The team confirmed there were no signs of leakage as the tanker had not been damaged luckily. The LPG was transported carefully. The driver and the cleaner received minor injuries. A case has been registered and an investigation is under process.