Three persons were burnt to death and seven heavy vehicles suffered extensive damage after a gas tanker overturned in Danuwa Ghati on GT Road in Chouparan, around 65kms from Hazaribagh district headquarter. One of the diseased was identified as Bablu Yadav (35), the driver of the oil tanker. The identity of two others is yet to be ascertained.

The accident took place at around 10pm yesterday. The tanker was engulfed in flames after it overturned with a loud bang. Many vehicles passing by the stretch also caught fire including a dumper and a truck. The local police immediately swung into action and stopped the vehicular movement on this stretch.

Sapan Kumar Mahto, Chouparan officer-in-charge and his team were present at the spot. Relief work started this morning. One could still see smoke billowing from the burnt vehicles.

Gajendra Kumar, a truck driver said that the ear-splitting sound of the explosion could be heard five kilometers away. He said he was the first to reach the spot but he had to park his truck at a distance as the truck was up in flames. According to him, it was a macabre sight to behold as human flesh were sent flying due to the sheer impact of the accident.

Officials said efforts are on to tow away the gas tanker from there. They also informed that they are trying their best to start the vehicular movement as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Barhi MLA Uma Shankar Akela termed the accident as unfortunate.