153 killed as Pakistani oil tanker overturns, explodes
TRAGEDY Driver loses control while making turn, many burnt beyond recognition
ISLAMABAD: An oil tanker overturned and reportedly exploded in Pakistan on Sunday, killing 153 people and leaving 125 injured, most of whom were collecting leaking fuel from the vehicle.
The tanker, en route from Karachi to Lahore, was carrying 40,000 litres of fuel when it overturned near Bahawalpur in central Punjab while trying to make a turn on the main national highway. It reportedly exploded after fuel leaking from its damaged container caught fire.
A large crowd of people, including women and children, had gathered at the scene to collect the leaked oil when the fire erupted. Labourers working in nearby fields rushed to the spot to collect fuel and were caught up in the ensuing fire too.
Motorway police spokesman Imran Shah said police raced to the scene and tried to keep people away but they were ignored as residents continued filling their containers with fuel.
Some reports said a spark from the many cars and motorcycles that raced to the scene may have ignited the fuel.
The charred wreckage of the motorcycles and cars was seen scattered on the highway, along with kitchen utensils, pots, water coolers, jerrycans and buckets which victims had brought to collect the fuel.
Dr Rizwan Naseer, director of Punjab provincial rescue services, said many of the charred bodies will have to be identified through DNA testing. They expect the death toll to rise .
This is not the first tragedy involving an oil tanker in Pakistan — at least 62 people were killed in January 2015 when their bus collided with an oil tanker near Karachi, starting a fierce blaze that left victims burnt beyond recognition.
PM SHARIF COMES UNDER PRESSURE
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his grief and directed the government of Punjab province, run by his brother Shabhaz Sharif, to provide “full medical assistance”.
Sharif, who was in Britain for Eid holiday, decided to cut short his trip and return.
He has already been criticised for going on holiday after recent terror attacks in Parachinar and Quetta.