2 Killed, At least 67 injured in tanker explosion in Italy
Rome, Aug 6: 2 Killed, At least 67 people were injured when a tanker that was transporting flammable contents along a ring-road exploded in Italy's Bologna city on Monday, emergency sources said.
The Hazchem transporter exploded when it passed near a car dealership, triggering a series of explosions among cars in a nearby parking lot and leading to the partial collapse of a highway overpass, Efe reported.
"Highway closed between Bologna Casalecchio and the junction with the A14, Bologna to Taranto, in both directions, due to an accident at kilometer three that involved a tanker," Italian Police said on its official Twitter account. "Side roads also closed, rescue services in progress."
Images of the explosion showed two thick plumes of smoke billowing upward from the highway and nearby parked cars, while emergency teams were on hand to respond to the incident.
A regional healthcare service officials confirmed that 67 people were being treated for first, second and third-degree burns, and did not rule out the possibility of fatalities
The injured were hospitalized in various health care centers in the area, it said.
Two people were in serious condition and sent to hospitals in Parma and Cesena, while another 10 were transferred to Bazzano hospital.
Italy's firefighting department shared images on social media accounts showing thick smoke emerging from a vehicle on the highway and a second plume appearing to emerge from cars parked nearby.
Video footage released by national police showed the remains of the tanker, ripped wide open by the explosion, resting at the bottom of a collapsed and fire-blackened section of the overpass.
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NCW chief condemns rape-murder of 4-year-old girl in Pune, calls for swift action
New Delhi (PTI): National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has condemned the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Pune, calling it "deeply distressing" and a "blot on humanity".
The girl was allegedly raped and killed by a 65-year-old labourer, who has a criminal record, in Bhor tehsil of Pune on Friday. The accused allegedly lured the child to a cattle enclosure on the pretext of giving her food. After raping her, he killed her by hitting her with a stone, according to police.
The accused has been arrested.
In a post on X on Saturday, Rahatkar said the incident in the Nasrapur area in Pune was heartbreaking and has shaken society.
"The brutal torture and murder of a four-year-old innocent girl in Nasrapur (Bhor, Pune) is deeply painful, heartbreaking, and shocking. It is a blot on humanity," she said.
She said Pune Rural police has arrested the accused and noted that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar have assured strict action in the case.
Rahatkar said the NCW has taken cognisance of the matter and written to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), requesting the body to ensure necessary and prompt action.
It has also been recommended that the case be pursued under stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and be closely monitored from the filing of the chargesheet to proceedings in a fast-track special court to ensure time-bound justice, she added.
Ensuring justice for the victim and stringent punishment for the accused is a collective responsibility, the NCW chairperson underlined.
In a post on X, the NCW said it has taken suo motu cognisance of the extremely "heinous" incident.
"This heinous crime causes profound pain and outrage, and it highlights serious concerns regarding the safety of young girls," it said.
Strongly condemning this grave "inhuman act", the NCW said such crimes constitute a serious violation of children's rights and raise questions about society's security system.
