July 16, 2017
BHIT SHAH: An oil tanker en route to Punjab overturned on the National Highway near Bhit Shah in Sindh on Sunday.
The vehicle's driver — who got trapped in the front cabin following the incident — was safely extracted.
Police cordoned off the scene of the incident and called for machinery, fire brigade, and rescue teams to commence the rescue operation.
Reportedly 50,000 litres of fuel is present in the tanker.
In a similar incident on Saturday, a mini truck carrying oil overturned on Multan Road near Manga Mandi.
The truck — that was reportedly speeding — overturned after one of its wheels dismantled, following which its oil tank started leaking.
Earlier on Thursday morning, an oil tanker overturned on the National Highway near Rahim Yar Khan.
The tanker, transporting around 40,000 litres of fuel, skidded off the road after the driver dozed off while passing by Koochi Muhammad Khan, according to officials.
A similar incident was witnessed in Vehari when an oil tanker crashed on the roadside and locals gathered to pilfer oil from it.
In one of the biggest national tragedies in the past month, over 200 people died and scores injured after an oil tanker overturned and caught fire in Bahawalpur's Ahmedpur East town on June 25.
Most victims were residents of nearby localities who had rushed to the scene of incident to collect the leaking fuel after the tanker toppled, said rescue sources.