146 die in tanker blast

LAHORE: An oil tanker crashed and exploded on a road in Pakistan yesterday, killing 146 people, many of whom were collecting leaking fuel before it ignited, government officials and rescue workers said.

The speeding tanker overturned on a sharp bend on a highway on the outskirts of the city of Bahawalpur. The driver lost control when the vehicle blew a tyre.

A large crowd gathered, many to collect fuel in containers, and the tanker exploded in a huge fireball about 45 minutes later. Rescue workers said that about 80 people had been injured. An estimated 20 children were among the dead.