At least 120 people were killed and 100 others injured in a massive oil tanker fire in southern Punjab province of Pakistan on Sunday, according to a provincial official.
The oil tanker caught fire after it overturned on national highway near Ahmedpur Sharqia area of Bahawalpur division.
A big crowd of local villagers gathered to collect fuel leaking from the overturned tanker when it suddenly caught fire and hundreds of them came under ablaze, Malik Ahmad Khan, Spokesman of Punjab provincial government, told Anadolu Agency on phone.
"So far at least 120 people have been killed and over 100 are severely burnt, including women and children," Khan confirmed, adding around 25 to 30 are in critical condition and there are fears that the death toll could rise further.
He said dozens of vehicles standing around the accident spot were also burnt down in the blaze.
Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa and Chief Minister Punjab Shahraz Sharif ordered to evacuate the injured to Multan and Lahore hospitals after local Pakistani media reported that no burn units existed in the local hospitals.
In a statement issued by Pakistan's army, spokesman Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor said helicopters were dispatched for evacuation of casualties to hospitals.
"All hospitals are placed on high alert and army chief directed the armed forces to fully assist the civil administration in rescue and relief efforts," the statement further added.
