By The News Observer Desk,
Karwar: A tanker carrying chemicals burst into flames after a powerful explosion on National Highway 52 in Uttara Kannada district, leaving the vehicle completely gutted and burning fiercely.
The incident happened near Kanchinabagilu in Ankola taluk. The blast was so intense that the tanker was soon engulfed in raging flames, with thick smoke and fire making it impossible for anyone to approach the site safely.
Authorities are deeply worried about the tanker driver, as there’s been no sign of him since the accident. Rescue teams are actively searching the area, but the intense heat and ongoing blaze are making operations extremely challenging.
As a safety measure, traffic on the busy Ankola–Hubballi stretch of NH-52 has been completely halted. Long queues of vehicles have formed on both sides of the highway, causing major disruption for travelers.
Local police and fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot as soon as they got the news and are now working hard to bring the fire under control. However, because of the nature of the chemicals involved, extinguishing the flames is proving difficult.
The exact cause of the explosion is still not known, and officials say more details are expected soon.
This is a developing story, and we'll bring you updates as soon as fresh information comes in.
Videography and Reporting by Saikiran Babrekar from Karwar / Nagaraj Jamblekar from Ankola
