A truck carrying chemicals overturned on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway in the Mendhwan Ghat area of Palghar district around 3:30 PM on Saturday, June 14. The accident caused major traffic disruptions.
The truck, which was carrying barrels of industrial-grade hydrogen peroxide, lost control while taking a sharp turn on a flyover and overturned. The barrels broke open, causing the chemical to leak and release thick clouds of white smoke on the highway.
The truck was on its way from Mumbai to Gujarat when the driver lost control. The leaking hydrogen peroxide created dense smoke that reduced visibility on the road and caused eye irritation to people nearby, leading to panic.
Hydrogen peroxide, especially in industrial strength, can be very harmful. Contact with skin can cause irritation, redness, burns, and blisters. Breathing the fumes can irritate the lungs and, in severe cases, cause life-threatening lung problems. Swallowing it is extremely dangerous and can cause serious stomach problems, internal burns, and even be fatal. Contact with the eyes can cause pain, irritation, and permanent eye damage.
Luckily, no one died in the incident, though the truck driver was injured. Emergency teams, including Kasa Police, highway traffic police, and fire brigade, quickly reached the spot.
The fire brigade identified the chemical and sprayed water to control the vapors, successfully managing the situation. However, the leak caused heavy traffic jams on the Gujarat-bound side of the highway. Authorities diverted traffic to a service road and allowed one-way traffic to reduce congestion.
With the help of two cranes, the overturned truck was finally removed, and traffic returned to normal.
This accident highlights ongoing safety concerns in the Mendhwan Ghat area, which is known for frequent accidents involving heavy vehicles. Although there have been demands for safer road designs during redevelopment, the dangerous curve remains unchanged.
Officials are now investigating the accident, including whether the logistics company followed all safety rules while transporting the chemical.