123 killed as oil tanker explodes in Pakistan

International Desk: At least 123 people were killed when a lorry transporting oil burst into flames in the Pakistani city of Bahawalpur, local officials say.

They say dozens of people were badly burned as they tried to collect fuel leaking from the vehicle. Those injured are being treated in hospital.

Firefighters are now at the scene tackling the blaze.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the tanker had overturned because of speeding, and later caught fire.

Eyewitnesses say some people were smoking at the scene of the accident, which could have started the fire, Pakistan's Geo TV reports.

Identities of a number of victims may only be established by DNA sampling, as the bodies badly burned in the incident, reports say.

There are fears that the death toll could rise further.

Pakistan's media published pictures from the scene, showing a number of charred vehicles.

BBC

risingbd/DHAKA/June 25, 2017/Amirul