Tanker carrying sulphuric acid overturns near Mangalagiri

Guntur: A tanker carrying concentrated sulphuric acid from Kakinada to Chennai Port was overturned near Kaza toll plaza under Mangalagiri mandal of Guntur district on Sunday. In the incident, the driver of the tanker sustained minor injuries.

According to police, when the tanker reached Mangalagiri, the driver of noticed that brakes of vehicle failed and hit the electric pole. Later the oil tanker overturned, and sulfuric acid started leaking.

On receipt of information, the NDRF, fire and police personnel rushed to the spot and diverted the traffic on the highway besides taking precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident. They pressed cranes to lift the oil tanker.

District fire officer V Srinivasa Reddy said they sprayed DCP power and sand to arrest the leakage of concentrated sulfuric acid. “If the sulfuric acid will mix with water, due to chemical reaction, it will convert into heavy smoke and cause health problems,” he said.  

Fire engines from Mangalagiri and Vijayawada pressed into service to supervise the operation. Regional fire officer S R Murali Mohan said it will take some more time to lift the tanker. There is no threat to health as we have arrested sulfuric acid leakage from the tanker, he said.

Guntur Urban SP Ch Vijaya Rao rushed to the spot and informed that they have pressed big cranes and balloons to lift the tanker. Mangalagiri police registered a case.