A terrifying accident between a fuel tanker and a semi has been caught on video.
The footage comes from the outskirts of Bologna, Italy and it shows a string of semis stuck in traffic. The fuel tanker is in the same lane as the other vehicles and, unfortunately, fails to stop.
As you can see in the video, the fuel tanker plows into the rear end of a semi seemingly at full speed. The force of the impact pushes the semi forward and its trailer appears to flip over. As this happens, a fuel tanks ignites and sets off an explosion.
The fire engulfs the two trucks as traffic comes to a standstill. The video then skips forward and shows the moment that the fuel tanker finally explodes. Thankfully, when this occurs, a number of other vehicles have had time to get away.
#bologna #BorgoPanigale Le immagini della dinamica del grave incidente che ha coinvolto anche un mezzo che trasportava sostanze infiammabili. Indagini in corso #PoliziaStradale pic.twitter.com/aS8NKxTaoA
— Polizia di Stato (@poliziadistato) August 6, 2018
Unfortunately, not everyone was quite a lucky. Citing local police, CNBC is reporting that at least two people were killed and as many as 70 others were injured. The report also says the force of the second explosion was so powerful that it shattered windows in nearby buildings and this was responsible for a number of the injuries attributed to the crash.
What exactly was in the tanker remains unclear, but at least one report suggests the truck was carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Regardless of what the truck was hauling, the explosion and fire was so intense the raised roadway partially collapsed.
The accident was further amplified as the crash occurred above a car park or car dealership, according to disputing accounts from the BBC and Reuters. As flames rained down on the vehicles below, this triggered a series of additional explosions as they caught on fire.
#BorgoPanigale #6ago 15.00, squadre #vigilidelfuoco al lavoro: inviate sul posto sezioni operative, nucleo #usar e #cinofili. In corso la ricognizione aerea elicottero reparto volo di Bologna pic.twitter.com/TtPdGSFWz1
— Vigili del Fuoco (@emergenzavvf) August 6, 2018