Hydrochloric acid tanker overturns and catches fire on Durgapur Highway, traffic disrupted

A hydrochloric acid tanker overturned on National Highway 19 near the Muchepara flyover in Durgapur, West Bardhaman, early Tuesday morning. The tanker, traveling from Bihar to Kolkata, lost control around 3:10 AM, crashing into the divider and overturning. The collision caused a fire to erupt on the tanker, which was carrying a large amount of hydrochloric acid. Thick fumes from the gas spread across the surrounding area, creating an immediate risk to public safety.

Local residents were the first to respond, alerting the police and fire department. Firefighters from the Durgapur fire station, arriving with two fire engines, worked quickly to control the situation. A crane was brought in to assist in the recovery process. In the meantime, water was sprayed on the tanker to contain the gas leak and prevent further hazards. To mitigate the risk of exposure, authorities halted traffic on the Asansol and Bardhaman-bound lanes of National Highway 19.

The situation was brought under control after several hours of firefighting efforts. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The fire department confirmed that while the surrounding area was heavily impacted by the fumes, the swift response and the preventive measures helped avert a larger disaster. The authorities have since managed to clear the area, and traffic was resumed once safety conditions were assured.