Mangalore/Puttur April 9 2013 :
In a tragic and gruesome incident at least six people including a child have died when a LPG tanker with 16,000 litres of LPG turned turtle and caught fire at Perne near Uppinangadi on NH 75, today morning, April 9, 2013. The mishap occurred when the tanker lost control while approaching a curve and caught fire.
According to latest report six charred bodies including those of children have been recovered from the sight.
The dead include lorry driver and cleaner and a woman and her child said to be from a house gutted due to the accident and subsequent fire.
Soon, the fire engulfed nearby houses, shops and vehicles injuring several passers-by. Some vehicles parked or moving on the road were completely gutted in the incident.
Many people have been injured and have been admitted to Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore.
Fire tenders from Mangalore, Moodbidri, Bantwal and Belthangady had arrived soon after the incident and battled for several hours to douse the fire.
Bantwal MLA Ramanath Rai visited the accident location and promised help to the victims’ families and also to those who are injured or have suffered losses.
Meanwhile deputy commissioner Harsh Gupta has announced a compensation of Rs one lakh each to the victims’ families and to those who sustained more than 50 per cent burns. People with lesser injuries will be given of Rs. 50,000 each.
As per the latest report at 11.30pm , the death toll in the tragic gas tanker accident at Uppinangadi has gone up to eight as two more persons succumbed to the injuries in the hospital.
