Ahmedpur Sharqia oil tanker inferno: Death toll rises to 190
Seven officials of motorway police have been suspended for alleged negligence in inquiry
MULTAN (AFP/Dunya News) - The death toll from an oil tanker explosion in Ahmedpur Sharqia has risen to 190, officials said Thursday, including the driver who warned people scooping up spilled fuel to stay away but was ignored. About 153 of the deceased have been laid to rest after their funeral ceremonies.
Seven officials of the motorway police were reportedly suspended, including the Police DSP Rizwan Shah and Inspector Abdul Samd , for alleged negligence in the inquiry. Sources told the officials tried to hide facts. According to a recommendation, the institution might take action against them.
The tanker overturned early Sunday on a main highway from Karachi to Lahore while carrying some 40,000 litres of fuel.
It exploded minutes later as crowds from a nearby village gathered to scavenge for fuel, despite admonitions by the driver as well as motorway police to stay away.
"According to our information, 174 people have died of their wounds to date," Bahawalpur police chief Akhar Abbas told AFP. A medical official confirmed the toll. However, other news sources told the death toll has rised to 190.
Abbas said tanker driver Khiyam Muhammad, who sustained burns, also died of his wounds in nearby Multan city on Wednesday.
Motorway police spokesman Imran Shah said a government inquiry into the incident had found at least five police officials guilty of hiding information -- though he did not give further details.
"These officials have been suspended with immediate effect as the inquiry continues," he added.
The tragedy marked a grim start to Eid, the celebrations closing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Pakistan has a poor record of fatal traffic accidents due to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving. On the other hand, samples of 125 dead bodies have been sent for DNA test whereas more than 80 percent of people admitted in hospital are badly scorched. Meanwhile, the administration has started removing the debris of the motorbikes, cars and rickshaws from the road and one side of the highway has been opened for traffic.
