Khargone, July 13 (IANS) A tragic incident in Magarkhedi village under the Balkwada police station area took place in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district on Sunday evening, when a powerful explosion ripped through a crude oil tanker during welding operations at a local workshop.

The blast claimed the life of a shepherd and left two others — a tanker driver and a welding mechanic — critically injured.

According to Superintendent of Police Ravindra Verma, welding work was underway on the rear section of the tanker when residual vapours apparently ignited, triggering the massive explosion.

The shepherd, who was grazing goats nearby, was caught in the blast’s radius and succumbed to his injuries.

The driver and the mechanic, who were directly involved in the repair work, sustained severe burns and trauma and have been rushed to a hospital for urgent medical attention. Their condition is reported to be critical.

The force of the explosion was so intense that it shattered the windowpanes of a nearby private school and a residential house.

Fortunately, no other casualties have been reported so far, though local residents were left shocked by the sudden incident.

Preliminary investigations suggest that proper safety protocols for working on fuel tankers — such as thorough cleaning, gas-free certification, and use of explosion-proof equipment — may not have been fully followed.

Welding on tanks that previously carried flammable substances like crude oil is a high-risk activity known to cause such accidents if residual hydrocarbons are not completely purged.

District authorities have initiated a detailed probe into the matter.

Police have registered a case and are examining the workshop owner and safety lapses.

perts point out that tanker repair workshops often overlook hazardous area classifications, leading to preventable tragedies. This incident highlights the persistent risks associated with informal repair units handling petroleum-laden vehicles across rural and semi-urban Madhya Pradesh. Local administration has assured full support to the victims’ families. The deceased shepherd’s body has been handed over to relatives after post-mortem, while the injured continue to battle for life in medical facilities.

–IANS

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