A major fire broke out after a collision between two trucks on National Highway 60 near Basta in Odisha’s Balasore district late on Friday night. Both vehicles were completely gutted in the blaze, causing panic in the area and disrupting traffic movement along the busy highway for several hours.
According to preliminary reports, a coal-laden truck rammed into a trailer that was allegedly stationed on the road. The impact of the collision triggered an immediate fire, with flames engulfing both vehicles within minutes. Thick smoke and intense heat spread across the highway, alarming nearby residents and motorists.
The drivers of both trucks sustained serious injuries in the accident. Local residents and highway patrol personnel rescued them from the burning vehicles and rushed them to Basta Hospital for treatment. Hospital sources confirmed that both drivers are in critical condition and remain under close medical supervision.
Upon receiving information, highway patrolling teams alerted the Basta Fire Brigade. Firefighters reached the spot promptly and launched an operation to control the blaze. However, both trucks were completely destroyed before the flames were brought under control.
Vehicular movement on the national highway was severely affected due to the incident, leading to traffic congestion for several hours. Police have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Authorities are yet to confirm why the trailer was parked on the highway at the time of the collision.
