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PAKISTAN: 123 burnt to death, many injured in tanker explosion
Tragedy struck in the Punjab province of Pakistan near Bahawalpur when a petrol tanker caught fire and exploded killing no less than 123 who were burnt alive and injuring many others.
According to reports, the fire was sparked after local residents scrambled to collect fuel from an overturned vehicle which skidded off the national highway in Ahmed Pur Sharqia burning most of them alive.
According to Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, the tanker turned over on a “main logistical supply” route and “a large number of people rushed to the scene and started to collect fuel” that was spilling from the truck.
Read also: 15 Muslims arrested in India for openly celebrating Pakistan’s cricket victory
“Suddenly the area was engulfed in flames, and most of the people were caught in those flames.
Apparently most of them were already carrying fuel, so they had no chance.
He added: “We are told most of the bodies are burnt beyond recognition.”
Reports say children were among the dead and injured, according to hospital doctor Mohamed Ahmed, even as Fire brigade vehicles arrived at the site soon after the explosion.
Rescue and operations is currently under way at the scene of th incident.
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