AUG 19, 2011: 5 dead as naphtha pipeline explodes at Sancoale
Five persons were killed, while many others were injured when a naphtha pipeline from Mormugao Harbour to Zuari Indian Oil Tanking Limited (ZIOTL) in Sancoale burst into huge flames at Varunapuri-Mangor in Vasco on August 19, 2011.
The naphtha which seeped out from a ruptured pipe located between Varunapuri to Naval Family gate burst into flames when a bhelpuri vendor lit his stove near the gate at Varunapuri. Three persons sustained serious injuries and later succumbed to burn injuries.
About 200 families were later evacuated as a precautionary measure, while dozens of vehicles were gutted in the fire.
A few hours later, a second fire broke out when leaked naphtha, which gushed out of the ruptured pipeline from the inferno at Varunapuri accumulated in a nullah and burst into flames at Dhaktalem-Mangor.
Two minor brothers died of burn injuries while their cousin and another friend sustained burn injuries. Four houses were gutted in the fire while three LPG cylinders burst. Inmates of the 11 houses were evacuated to the Goa Rehabilitation Board colony at Headland Sada, Mormugao, while residents of houses and residential buildings in the vicinity also left their homes as a precautionary measure.
JAN 19, 2018: Hundreds evacuated as
ammonia leaks from toppled tanker
Some people were hospitalised for observation while hundreds of people had to be evacuated from their homes, following a massive leakage of the highly hazardous ammonia from a tanker which toppled along the airport road at Chicalim in the wee hours of January 19, 2018.
The incident took place at about 2.30 am as the tanker (GA-06-T-2864) was carrying about 15 tonnes of ammonia from the port to the Zuari Agro Chemicals Limited.
It is learnt that the driver, Dada Vittal Chaudhary from Pune but presently staying at ZACL Colony, tried to avoid a tourist taxi which suddenly came in the way and slammed the brakes to avert a collision. The heavily loaded vehicle hit the road divider and veered off the road, before toppling to its side.
Within moments, the ammonia began to leak from the cargo and thick toxic fumes engulfed the vehicle and began to spread around the area.
Sensing that ammonia would soon spread around and cause breathing problems to residents in the area, the fire fighters and police began knocking on the doors of all houses. However, the residents who were either fast asleep or too scared and refused to open the doors.
When Arondekar was informed that people were reluctant to open their doors, he immediately released evacuation orders and directed all fire tenders and police PCRs to blare their sirens collectively to alert people about the impending danger.
