2 dead, 21 injured in LPG tanker explosion in Punjab's Hoshiarpur

Two people were killed and 21 others injured after an LPG tanker exploded following a collision on the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur road near Mandiala village on Friday night, officials said Saturday.

The blast occurred after an HP Petroleum tanker, attempting an improper turn, collided with a vegetable-laden Mahindra pickup, triggering a massive explosion that also damaged nearby buildings.

Civil Surgeon Dr Pawan Kumar and Senior Medical Officer Dr Kuldeep Singh reported that 23 patients were brought to Hoshiarpur Civil Hospital.

One was declared dead on arrival, and another succumbed while being taken to a private hospital. Currently, five patients remain admitted at the civil hospital, 14 have been referred to other facilities, and two have been discharged, they added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain stated that all the injured are being treated free of cost under the Punjab government’s Farishte Scheme.

Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot Singh, MLA Bram Shankar Jimpa, DC Jain, and SSP Sandeep Kumar Malik visited the site to assess the situation and supervise rescue operations.

Police teams from City, Sadar, Model Town, Purhiran, Chabbewal, and Garhdiwala stations responded swiftly and initiated rescue efforts. The injured were rushed to Hoshiarpur Civil Hospital, with critical patients referred to other facilities. A special team of doctors from Amritsar Medical College has been deployed to assist.

The DC assured that compensation would be provided to the families of the deceased as per Punjab government norms, and emphasised that no lapses in medical care would be tolerated.

To manage the emergency, ambulances and fire tenders from Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Phagwara, and the Adampur Air Force Station were mobilised, along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

A case has been registered under Sections 105 and 324(4) of the Bhartiya Nyaay Samhita (2023) against unidentified persons, and a detailed investigation is under way, said the SSP.