A powerful tanker explosion shook the area near Magarkhedi village under the Khaltanka police outpost limits in Khargone district late in the evening. The blast occurred at a welding workshop on the Mumbai-Agra national highway, where repair work was underway on an empty crude oil tanker. One person was killed in the explosion, while two others suffered serious injuries.
Blast Struck During Welding Repairs
Mechanics at the highway-side workshop were welding the tanker when a massive explosion suddenly ripped through the site. The sound of the blast was so loud that it was heard far into the surrounding area, leaving nearby residents shaken. The force of the explosion can be gauged from the fact that heavy iron fragments of the tanker were flung as far as 500 metres from the site.
Man Tending Goats Killed on the Spot
At the time of the accident, 45 year old Bheem Rokade, a resident of Magarkhedi, was grazing his goats near the workshop. Iron fragments hurled by the blast struck him directly. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. His death has plunged his family and the entire village into mourning. Two other people were also badly injured in the explosion, tanker driver Vinod Gaur, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, and welding mechanic Nitesh Kushwah. Both are said to be in critical condition and were referred for further treatment after receiving first aid.
Explosion Leaves a Trail of Destruction
The intensity of the blast was severe enough to tear the tanker apart completely. A car parked nearby was also badly damaged. The pressure from the explosion shattered window glass in several nearby houses. It was fortunate that the weekly Sunday market usually held near the site was some distance away that day; had the blast occurred closer to a crowded spot, the casualties could have been far worse.
Leaking Flammable Gas Suspected, Probe Underway
Police from the Khaltanka and Balakwada stations reached the spot as soon as news of the incident broke. Initial investigation suggests the explosion may have been caused by flammable gas still trapped inside the tanker. The tanker had carried oil from Andhra Pradesh to Meghnagar in Jhabua district and, after being emptied there, had stopped at the workshop for repairs during its return journey. Police and administration are also examining whether safety norms were ignored during the repair work. A sense of fear continues to grip the entire area following the incident.
