Overturned oil tanker explodes in Pakistan, killing 123

Overturned oil tanker explodes in Pakistan, killing 123

An official takes images of a burnt-out oil tanker (R background) at the site of an accident on the outskirts of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, on Sunday. (EPA photo)
An official takes images of a burnt-out oil tanker (R background) at the site of an accident on the outskirts of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, on Sunday. (EPA photo)

MULTAN, Pakistan -- An overturned oil tanker burst into flames in Pakistan on Sunday, killing more than 120 people who had rushed to the scene of the highway accident to gather leaking fuel, an official said.

Rizwan Naseer, the head of the Punjab province's rescue services, said 122 people were killed and another 76 were wounded, with many suffering serious burns.

The tanker flipped over on the national highway about 100 kilometres southwest of Multan. The tanker was driving from the southern port city of Karachi to Lahore, the Punjab provincial capital, when the driver lost control and crashed.

Nearby villagers ran toward the overturned tanker with jerry cans to take the leaking fuel, said Naseer. Police tried to cordon off the area but were overwhelmed by the scores of villagers who pushed through to reach the truck.

Eyewitnesses said about 30 motorcycles that had carried villagers to the accident site lay in charred ruins nearby. Eight other vehicles were destroyed, they said.

Many of the bodies were burned beyond recognition, said Mr Naseer.

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Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif "expressed deep grief over the heavy loss of life," his office said.

"The Prime Minister has directed provincial government to provide full medical assistance to the injured with burns," it said. "The Prime Minister has expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls."

It is "a national tragedy of epic proportions", tweeted Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. The cricketer-turned-politican said he had asked local leaders to provide assistance to the injured and victims' families.

 

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