Team Goemkarponn
CHICALIM: A major disaster was averted after a 70-tonne tanker carrying Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to Mopa Airport overturned on the Cortalim–Chicalim highway near St. Jacinto Island, triggering a high-alert emergency response.
According to sources, the accident occurred when the driver allegedly lost control of the moving tanker while attempting to drink water. The vehicle veered off the highway and overturned on its side. The driver escaped with minor injuries.
The tanker, loaded with highly inflammable aviation fuel, narrowly avoided colliding with other vehicles on the busy highway, preventing what officials described as a potentially catastrophic accident. As the vehicle came to rest off the carriageway, traffic movement remained largely unaffected.
Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the scene after being alerted by local residents and immediately assessed the situation. Given the hazardous nature of the cargo, the Disaster Management Authority and the oil transport company were informed to initiate precautionary measures.
Revenue officials, including the Mamlatdar and Talathi, also visited the site to oversee the response. Authorities barricaded the area and advised the public to avoid smoking or using mobile phones near the tanker because of the risk of ignition.
Representatives of the oil transport company arrived with specialised equipment to contain any possible fuel leakage. However, officials said the equipment could only be deployed after the overturned tanker was lifted. A heavy-duty crane was subsequently arranged to recover the fully loaded vehicle.
After several hours of coordinated efforts involving emergency responders and other agencies, the tanker was safely removed by late evening, bringing the high-risk operation to a successful conclusion without any casualties or major environmental damage.
