A fatal accident occurred late on Thursday night in Mandiala village, Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, after an LPG tanker collided with a pickup truck, causing a massive explosion and fire. The blast killed two people and injured 23 others, destroying several shops and houses.
Emergency response teams quickly rushed to the scene to contain the fire and evacuate residents. Authorities are investigating the cause and have assured free medical treatment for the injured and financial aid to the families of the deceased.
Massive Explosion Rock Mandiala Village
The tragic incident unfolded on the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar highway in the industrial belt near Mandiala village. According to Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain, the LPG tanker collided with a pickup truck which caused the tanker to overturn and ignite a fierce fire. The resulting explosion was so powerful that it was heard up to 7 kilometres away, shaking houses and spreading panic among villagers and commuters.
Flames rapidly engulfed the area, affecting 15 shops and four houses. Fire tenders from neighbouring towns, along with the State Disaster Response Force, rushed to the site to battle the blaze. Police quickly sealed off the highway and began evacuation efforts.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horror of the blast, describing it as akin to a bomb explosion. One survivor said, “The tanker overturned and exploded suddenly. Before we knew it, gas was leaking, and flames spread all around. My family and neighbours ran to save themselves.” The intensity of the explosion left the village shaken, with many residents sustaining burn injuries.
Emergency Response and Official Statements
Authorities sprang into action with firefighting teams, police personnel, and ambulances responding immediately. Injured individuals were taken to the Civil Hospital in Hoshiarpur, where seven patients remain admitted, and others were referred to specialised medical institutes for critical care. Hospital officials confirmed the deceased included one person who was brought dead and another who succumbed to injuries at a private hospital.
Deputy Commissioner Jain urged residents to stay away from the accident site to aid rescue operations and avoid further casualties. Punjab Cabinet Minister Ravjot Singh visited the site and hospital, describing the situation as “beyond words” and assuring full support to the victims and their families. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and assured free treatment for those injured. The government also deployed additional medical staff and placed senior officials to oversee relief efforts.
Background and Wider Implications
The explosion adds to growing concerns about the transportation of hazardous materials through populated and industrial areas in Punjab and across India. Such accidents expose vulnerable communities to severe risk, highlighting the need for reinforced safety protocols and better infrastructural planning. Residents of Mandiala village staged protests demanding accountability and increased safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the collision and subsequent explosion, including vehicle speeds and adherence to safety guidelines. The incident has raised questions about the regulation of tankers on highways and emergency preparedness in industrial zones adjacent to residential areas.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This devastating event highlights the urgent necessity for comprehensive road safety reforms, especially for vehicles transporting flammable and hazardous materials. The Logical Indian advocates fostering a culture of safety, responsibility, and empathy among drivers, companies, and policymakers to protect communities living near high-risk corridors.
Beyond reactive aid, we urge proactive policy interventions, improved enforcement, and community involvement to mitigate such preventable disasters.
