A violent brawl erupted between customers and staff at a petrol station when the employees allegedly refused to fill up cars amid an ongoing fuel crisis in India.

Shocking footage shows motorists and employees throwing punches at each other next to a petrol pump in Dombivali, in Maharashtra State, on January 3.

One staff member is seen hitting men with a helmet. Moments later, another customer rammed his scooter into the employee.

Other employees and motorists are also seen violently beating each other.

It is not yet known if police have made any arrests in connection with the clash.

According to local media, the men began arguing after employees allegedly refused to give them fuel. Before long, the argument turned violent and escalated into a physical fight.

The tensions arose as long queues had reportedly been formed at stations across the region after residents rushed to stock up on petrol amid an ongoing protest by lorry drivers over a new hit-and-run law.

Many had feared the protest would spark a massive shortage with no one to deliver the fuel.

According to one petrol station owner, who was not named, the protest by lorry drivers has affected the fuel supply to petrol pumps since January 1.

The new law states that hit-and-run cases could lead to a maximum of 10 years in jail and a fine of INR 700,000 (GBP 6,600), compared to the current penalty of up to a two-year jail term and a lighter fine.

Truckers and other commercial vehicle drivers are concerned about how they would afford such a high fine in case of a traffic accident where they might not have realised there had been an accident.