Tanker burst in Chhattisgargh: Toll climbs to 6

Raipur, Oct 22: Five children and a woman were burnt alive and 11 severely injured after an overturned petrol tanker burst into flames in the Chhattisgarh capital's Changorabhata locality 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.

An eyewitness told UNI that the tanker 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 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.

UNI