Bantwal: A gas tanker toppled on the national highway 75 at Surikumeru near Kalladka here on April 19.
Following gas leakage, more than 50 residents have been shifted to safer places.  

The incident took place at around 1 am when the tanker heading towards Bengaluru from MRPL overturned. Over speeding by the driver is said to be the reason for the mishap.

Soon after the tanker toppled, a cloud of gas leaked in the area, which led to widespread panic among the people in the village.

The locals sensing danger, informed the police and the fire personnel who rushed to the spot to rescue hundreds of people.

Over 70 fire personnels from 6 service centres of Bantwal, Mangaluru, Kadri, Pandeshwara, Belthangady and Puttur managed to bring the leakage under control by morning 8 am.

The vehicular movement was stalled for a few hours and the police have made alternate routes.

Senior fire officer Shashidhar, Bantwal Rural Police Station Officer Rakshith, Town Police Station officer Nandakumar and Vittal station officer Prakash Devadiga visited the spot.