Tanker blaze kills at least 123 people in Pakistan
At least 123 people have been burnt alive and dozens of
others injured after an oil tanker caught fire and exploded near
Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning as a large number of
people gathered to collect petrol from the vehicle, according to rescue
services.
Local sources told Al Jazeera that most of the victims were
residents of nearby areas who were collecting fuel from the oil tanker,
which had overturned after skidding off a national highway in Ahmed Pur
Sharqia.
Fire brigade vehicles arrived at the site soon after
the of the explosion and rescue operations were under way, the sources
told Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Pakistan's
Islamabad, said the tanker turned over on a "main logistical supply"
route and "a large number of people rushed to the scene and started to
collect fuel" that was spilling from the truck.
Bahawalpur, Pakistan is located in the southern part of Pakistan's Punjab province |
"Suddenly the area was engulfed in flames, and most of the
people were caught in those flames. Apparently most of them were already
carrying fuel, so they had no chance.
He added: "We are told most of the bodies are burnt beyond recognition."
At least 90 people who were injured were moved to Bahawalpur
Victoria Hospital and other health facilities. Explaining that the
nearest hospital does not have a burn unit, Hyder said the death toll is
expected to rise.
Children were among the dead and injured, said hospital doctor Mohamed Ahmed.
People with severe burns were being sent to other cities
because the hospital lacked facilities to treat so many patients at the
same time, he added.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his grief at
the accident and ordered authorities to make sure the victims were
treated at the best medical facilities, his office said in a statement.
A large number of motorcycles and vehicles were destroyed by the fire.
Source: Al Jazeera news
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