A petrol tanker overturned after being hit by a mining lorry on the Hospet–Ballari highway at Gadiganur in the taluk on Friday evening, leading to a fuel leak. The police swiftly cordoned off the area and prevented people from approaching the tanker, averting a major mishap.
The tanker was en route from Hospet to Ballari when a speeding lorry rammed into it from behind, causing it to topple. Though no one in either vehicle was injured, panic gripped the area due to the petrol spill, the police said.
Some people attempted to collect the leaked petrol, but the police imposed strict restrictions because of the risk of fire. Traffic on the highway was nearly halted for about an hour following the accident, resulting in vehicle queues stretching for several kilometres. Once the fuel leakage subsided, traffic was permitted on one side of the road.
DySP T. Manjunath visited the spot and supervised traffic management. The tanker was lifted and moved aside later in the evening with the help of a crane brought from the Jindal company.