PANAJI: An Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) tanker overturned near St. Jacinto Island in Chicalim on Wednesday while en route to Manohar International Airport (Mopa), triggering a major emergency response amid fears of a fuel leak.
According to preliminary information, the driver allegedly lost control of the tanker, causing it to overturn and sparking panic among commuters using the route.
Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot and immediately began assessing the situation while implementing safety measures to prevent any fire or explosion.
According to a commuter, the fuel depot from where the tanker had departed was only around 12 kilometres away, but no officials from the depot had reached the site during the initial response. The commuter also alleged that no emergency support was provided by the depot authorities.
Fire officials immediately alerted the Mamlatdar, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and other concerned departments about the incident. A 100-tonne crane was deployed by the truck owner to recover the overturned tanker from the roadside gorge.
Verna station fire officer Dilip Bicholkar said nearby shipyard authorities were instructed to suspend any activity that could generate sparks or ignite the leaked fuel. Bicholkar also ensured that people in the vicinity refrained from using mobile phones or smoking as a precautionary measure against ignition.
