At least 123 people burned alive after rushing to collect fuel from overturned oil tanker when it burst into flames in Pakistan
The truck was hauling nearly 9,000 gallons of fuel from Karachi to Lahore when it flipped near Ahmedpur East, central Pakistan
AT LEAST 123 people have been burned alive after running to collect fuel from an overturned oil tanker when it burst into flames in Pakistan today, an official said.
The tanker carrying 40,000 litres (8,800 gallons) of fuel overturned on a main highway while travelling from Karachi to Lahore, near the town of Ahmedpur East in Punjab state.
Horrific images emerging last night showed scores of badly-burned victims lying where they were struck down by the intense flames.
Details were unclear but some witnesses suggested the tanker had suffered a burst tyre, said regional police chief Raja Riffat.
He told reporters: "When it turned over the residents of the nearby village of Ramzanpur Joya rushed to the site with buckets and other containers, and a large number of people on motorcycles also came and started collecting the spilling fuel.
"After about ten minutes the tanker exploded in a huge fireball and enveloped the people collecting petrol. It was not clear how the fire started."
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Television footage showed shooting flames and a thick plume of smoke as firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze.
The tragedy came one day before Pakistan was due to begin Eid ul-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, with many roads crowded as people travel home for the holidays.
The charred wreckage of dozens of motorcycles and cars could be seen scattered on the highway, along with kitchen utensils, pots, water coolers, jerry cans and buckets which victims had brought to collect the petrol.
Both Riffat and senior local government official Rana Mohammed Saleem Afzal, speaking to state television, said at least 123 people had been killed. Afzal said more than 100 were wounded
Riffat said: "Many bodies could not be identified as they have been charred very badly."
Pakistan Motorway Police spokesman Imran Shah said they received a call about the accident at around 6.30am.
Motorway police raced to the scene and tried to keep people away from the tanker, he said, adding that they were ignored as residents continued filling their containers with fuel.
The military said it was sending army helicopters to evacuate the wounded and hospitals were put on high alert – with the nearest burns centre is believed to be more than 93 miles away.
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".
Pakistan has an appalling record of fatal traffic accidents due to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.
At least 62 people including women and children were killed in southern Pakistan in 2015 when their bus collided with an oil tanker, starting a fierce blaze that left victims burnt beyond recognition.
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