Two truck drivers died after their trailers caught fire following a head-on collision on the Biju Expressway near Kaintara Chhak in Odisha’s Sundargarh district early Tuesday.
The crash triggered a massive blaze that engulfed both vehicles within moments.
The collision occurred under the Bhasma police station limits on State Highway-10. Both drivers remained trapped inside their cabins as flames spread rapidly, leaving no chance of escape. Firefighters and police rushed to the scene after receiving information and managed to control the fire after hours of effort.
Eyewitnesses reported that the impact was severe enough to ignite the fuel tanks instantly. The intensity of the fire reduced both trailers to charred remains. Rescue teams recovered the bodies after extinguishing the flames.
Police began an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that one of the trailers may have lost control while overtaking another vehicle. The identities of the deceased drivers are yet to be confirmed.
Local residents gathered at the site as thick smoke billowed across the highway. Traffic movement remained disrupted for several hours until authorities cleared the wreckage. The tragic incident renewed concerns about nighttime highway safety and the need for stricter enforcement of speed limits for heavy vehicles.
The Biju Expressway, connecting major industrial zones in western Odisha, has witnessed several fatal accidents in recent months. Officials plan to review safety.
