123 burnt to death as oil tanker catches fire in Pakistan

At least 123 people have been burnt to death when an oil tanker caught fire in Pakistan’s Bahawalpur city. The incident took place Sunday morning, reports the Geo News. Around 40 injured were taken to Bahawal Victoria Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital Sharqia in critical condition, Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer said. According to the report, most of the injured sustained 70% burn and the death toll is likely to rise. The rescue sources said locals had gathered to collect fuel that was leaking from the oil tanker after it toppled over. Eyewitnesses said some people in the vicinity were smoking cigarettes, which could have ignited the inferno. Meanwhile, dozens of vehicles, including 75 motorbikes and four cars, were engulfed in the blaze that erupted in Pul Paka near the National Highway. Rescue work was under way as some of the bodies stuck in the wreck were being taken out. Traffic was suspended on the National Highway route following the incident. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and demanded the authorities concerned to provide the relevant report.