Car rams LPG tankers at IOC bottling plant in Kollam; major disaster averted

Chathannoor, Kollam: In a shocking incident, a speeding car rammed into LPG bullet tankers parked inside the high-security premises of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) bottling plant in Kollam district in Kerala.

The incident occurred around 7.20 pm on Friday. The car crashed into several tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). However, a major accident was averted because no gas leaked.

Following the incident, Police arrested Shinu Raj (28) and Jayan (47). They were produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.

According to police, the occupants were travelling towards Varkala using GPS navigation when they lost their way and reached the IOC plant. The driver was allegedly under the influence of intoxicating substances. The car was speeding when the driver lost control, smashed through the entrance gate and entered the plant premises.

Around 20 LPG bullet tankers, which had arrived at the plant carrying gas, were parked in the yard awaiting their turn to unload. The car sped between the tankers before crashing into them and coming to a halt.

Security personnel rushed to the spot but could not stop the vehicle. After the car came to a standstill, plant employees attempted to apprehend the occupants. The accused allegedly abused and assaulted the security staff during the confrontation.

Police said several trucks parked at the facility also sustained damage, with the estimated loss put at around Rs 25,000.

Major disaster narrowly averted

The tankers parked at the facility were carrying between 15 and 18 tonnes of LPG each. Each tanker contained enough gas to fill approximately 342 cylinders, equivalent to the quantity required to supply five delivery trucks.

The tankers were waiting for their turn to transfer the LPG into the bottling plant’s storage facility when the car crashed into them.

Even a minor gas leak or a small spark could have triggered a major disaster, given the quantity of highly inflammable gas stored in the tankers. The area is located close to the Kollam Government Medical College.