Rescue workers examine the crashed gas truck Wednesday. The vehicle went off the road at 6 a.m. that morning.
MUSTVEE, Estonia — A gas truck that went off the road on Wednesday morning around 6 a.m. near the small town of Mustvee in eastern Estonia could cause an 800 m blast if the tank explodes.
The Southern Estonian Rescue Service Center announced that the gas tank of the truck, which went off-road on the Jõhvi-Tartu-Valga highway. People are told to keep 800 m away, yet the nearest houses are only 200 m away.
Marek Kiik, press spokesman of Southern Estonian Rescue Service Center said that the police were sent to notify the people living nearby about a possible evacuation when rescue workers begin to drain the gas from the tanks.
“The police was sent out to notify the people to be ready and take a few items with them in case of evacuation,” Kiik told Baltic Reports. “Also local municipalities have agreed to help out with the accommodation.”
The emergency call center was alerted of the accident at 6:12 a.m. The truck, which is hauling 19 metric tons of natural gas is of Polish origin. Emergency management teams were sent out from Jõgeva, Mustvee and Palamuse and Tartu.
The truck driver had sustained only minor injuries that were treated on-site.
The rescue workers are evaluating the situation with specialists and are trying to find a way to let out the gas. The traffic on the highway being redirected by police.
Police are still investigating what caused the accident and said alcohol was not a factor.
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