Third tanker disaster averted in Saudi

Saudi authorities averted a third disaster in just a few days when a gasoline-laden tanker veered off the road and overturned near the road in the Gulf Kingdom’s capital Riyadh, triggering panic among drivers and nearby residents.

Saudi civil defence rushed to the scene just near the densely-populated Qorduba neighborhood and managed to transfer the tanker’s cargo to another truck safely.

Newspapers said no one was hurt in the accident, which took place at dawn on Thursday just before the morning rush hour. They said police were investigating the incident but one paper reported that it was caused after the driver lost control of the tanker and veered off the main road.

“The accident sparked panic among the residents as it reminded them of the deadly explosion of a gas tanker in the capital last week,” Sabq daily said.

Last week’s blast under a flyover in Riyadh killed 22 people and injured more than 130, including residents inside their apartments. Two other petrol tanker blazes occurred in the following few days but no one was reported hurt.

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