Kanpur, Aug. 21 -- Three persons were charred to death and another sustained injuries after a chemical-laden truck and a dumper collided head-on near the Murray Company Turn on the Hardoi-Unnao Road in Unnao district early on Wednesday.

The impact of the collision triggered a massive explosion, and within minutes, both vehicles were engulfed in flames. Eyewitnesses said the drivers of the two vehicles and a cleaner were trapped inside the cabins as the fire spread rapidly. Despite efforts by locals, the men could not be rescued and remained stuck for nearly half an hour.

The deceased were identified as Mahipal, the DCM truck driver from Muzaffarnagar; Pawan Yadav, the dumper driver; and Sumit, the cleaner. Sonu, the truck's second clean...