At least 100 people were killed in Pakistan after an oil tanker overturned and caught fire. The incident happened in Pakistan’s Punjab province, police said. According to reports, seventy-five others were left severely injured as the oil tanker caught on fire and exploded on a highway in Bahawalpur.
According to a report of AP, the tanker was on its way from southern port of Karachi to Lahore, when the driver of the vehicle lost control and crashed the vehicle. At least 30 motorcycles in the vicinity were lyign charred at the sight of the incident. Eight others vehicles were also destroyed.
Soon after the incident, the fire brigades arrived on the accident site and started the rescue operations. Two fire engines battled the fire and eventually gained control over it.
Six cars and 12 motorcycles parked in the vicinity were also severely damaged. According to media reports, Dr Rizwan Naseer, director of Punjab provincial rescue services, said that presently the rescuers are collecting the badly burned bodies.
Rescue officials said the injured civilians were admitted to District Headquarters Hospital and Bahawal Victoria Hospital, according to an AP report. A GeoTV report claimed that the traffic was suspended on the National Highway route following the incident. However, the motorway police set up two diversions, near Noorpur Nauranga and further ahead of Dera Nawaz.
Graphics: Bahawalpur incident which took 140 human lives. pic.twitter.com/o8Ct92LOoL
— Majid Agha (@Majid_Agha) June 25, 2017
Sad incident in Bahawalpur
Life is too unpredictable
Poor People collecting oil just few seconds before their miserable death
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/iDlVfU0SBU— Saima Khan (@isktweets) June 25, 2017
“The injured will be shifted to Nishtar Hospital in Multan as facilities close to the accident site are not equipped enough to treat patients with critical burn injuries,” said a GeoTV report.
Following the incident, Inter Services Public Relations Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor has expressed grief over loss of lives in the incident, ensuring help in the rescue efforts.
COAS expresses grief on losses in oil tanker incident. Directed provision of full assistance to civil admn in rescue/relief effort (1 of 2).
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) June 25, 2017
Army Aviation helicopters sent for evacuation of casualties to hospitals / burn centres. Hospitals placed on high alert. (2 of 2).
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) June 25, 2017
Further details are awaited.
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