Tanker inferno: Toll climbs to six

Raipur, Oct 22 (UNI) Five children and a woman were burnt alive and 11 severely injured after a petrol tanker burst into flames in e Changorabhata locality here this afternoon.

''The victims were filling fuel from the vehicle. Three kids and the woman died on the spot,'' Senior Superintendent of Police, B S Marawi told UNI. Sixteen others were admitted to the government-run Ambedkar hospital where another child succumbed to the injuries.

An eyewitness told UNI that the tanker had overturned on the Ring Road. It is likely that a person leaving a nearby liquor shop carelessly threw a burning beedi or cigarette thereby igniting the petrol.

The eyewitness said at least six kids were killed while the police has confirmed only five fatalities.

A police vehicle was pelted with stones by people incensed over delay in the arrival of the police and fire brigade personnel.

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