Death toll from Bahawalpur tanker fire rises to 157

BAHAWALPUR: The death toll due to Bahawalpur oil tanker fire incident has risen to 157 on Monday as the police have registered the case against the driver, owner and manager of the tanker.

More than a hundred victims were being treated in different hospital, many of them badly injured due to the incident.

According to health sources, 126 were killed on the spot while 31 died later during the treatment within two days.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also announced to hold an inquiry into the incident and declared that the government has made a policy decision to provide jobs to the injured as well as family members of the deceased.

The premier, alongside Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was holding a press conference during a visit to the site of the accident in Ahmedpur East.

152 burnt to death as oil tanker catches fire in Bahawalpur

Scores injured in fire that broke out after oil tanker overturned and crowds rushed to collect fuel

PM visits Bahawalpur, announces inquiry into oil tanker fire

The prime minister also expressed remorse over the loss of precious lives in the fire incident

London trip cut short

The premier was in London on a private visit and was expected to return to Pakistan later in the week but cut short his trip after the tragic fire incident.

Talking to members of the press after offering Eid prayers in a mosque in central London, the premier said the National Action Plan had significantly reduced the incidents of terrorism in the country.

“[Peace and stability] conditions in Pakistan are steadily improving,” he said.

He added that he [recently] met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and both leaders mutually agreed on a few matters.

“We are working to make our relations with Afghanistan better,” the prime minister said.

COAS visits the injured

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also visited those injured in the tragedy at Nishtar Hospital, Multan.

COAS Gen Bajwa was briefed on the condition and treatment of the injured by Nishtar Medical University vice chancellor and the in-charge of the Burns Centre at Nishtar Hospital, he Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

During his visit to the hospital, Gen Bajwa appreciated the role and efforts of the ‘first responders’ to the tragic incident, including the civil administration, motorway and Punjab police, locals and hospitals’ staff.

Commander Multan Corps Lieutenant General Sarfraz Sattar accompanied the COAS during the visit.

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 Karachi in 2015 when their bus collided with an oil tanker, starting a fierce blaze that left victims burnt beyond recognition.