HYDERABAD-
At least 10 people burnt to death in late hours of Sunday when an 18-seater passenger van’s gas kit exploded, causing a fire at Karachi-Hyderabad Superhighway.
Police sources confirmed nine casualties, adding that the van’s cylinder exploded when the van fell into a ditch due to bursting of one of its tyres, two kilometres away from Nooriabad which is around 100 kilometres (60 miles) northeast of Karachi.
Fire brigade arrived from Nooriabad with a delay while the highway police unsuccessfully attempted to put out the fire.
Rescue workers had to cut through the van body to recover charred bodies of the victims which are beyond recognition. A DNA test would be conducted to determine their identity, added reports.
Nine injured passengers, including two children, have been shifted to Karachi’s Abassi Shaheed, and Baqai Hospital.
Pakistan has an appalling record of fatal traffic accidents due to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.
Last month 62 people including women and children were killed in southern Pakistan when their bus collided with an oil tanker, starting a fierce blaze which left victims burnt beyond recognition.