A major accident occurred around 11:30 pm on Monday when a gas tanker carrying 80 tonnes of LPG overturned near Hatkhamba School at Vani Peth, on the Ratnagiri–Mumbai Goa highway. The driver reportedly lost control while negotiating a sharp turn, causing the tanker to veer off the road and plunge into a 25-foot gorge.
The impact led to a gas leak, sparking panic in the area. The driver suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the Ratnagiri district hospital.
Villagers Evacuated Overnight Amid Explosion Risk
Given the high risk of explosion, all nearby residents were evacuated during the night. Local police, Ratnagiri MIDC’s rescue team, and fire officials responded promptly to contain the leak.
District Superintendent of Police Nitin Bagate confirmed the seriousness of the situation, stating the lives of villagers were in danger due to the volatile LPG. District Collector Devendra Singh also visited the site for an inspection.
Traffic Halted for 15 Hours, Later Restored
The incident led to complete traffic disruption on the Mumbai-Goa highway. Long vehicle queues formed overnight. Traffic was diverted via Bavandi-Devrukh-Sakharpa and Lanja-Devdhe.
It took nearly 15 hours for the rescue team to stop the leak, transfer the remaining gas to another tanker, and safely remove the overturned vehicle with a crane. Traffic was finally restored on Tuesday.
