Chemical tanker erupts in flames on Rajasthan highway; driver leaps to safety
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Jaipur: A chemical tanker overturned and burst into massive flames late Wednesday on the Nagaur-Ladnun stretch of NH-458 near Kunjal Mata Temple, sending thick smoke visible 2 km away and sparking panic.
Driver Lukman Khan from Barmer jumped out by smashing the cabin glass just before the blaze engulfed the vehicle, which was hauling 30 tonnes of Amike chemical from Gandhidham (Gujarat) to Sonipat (Haryana). Police said he lost control while overtaking to avoid a sudden trailer.
Authorities sealed the highway, forming long vehicle queues. Four fire tenders from Nagaur Municipal Council battled the intense chemical fire for two hours to douse it. Six ambulances stood ready, but no injuries occurred—luckily, no other vehicles were nearby.
Station House Officer Suman Chaudhary of Surpalia police station noted the immediate inferno caused highway chaos.
The tanker was reduced to charred debris. Traffic resumed after flames were extinguished and smoke cleared from nearby villages.
(Inputs from IANS)