HYDERABAD: At least nine passengers were reported to have died when a fire broke out in a van after it fell into a ditch near Nooriabad on Sunday.

Jamshoro SSP Naeem Shaikh said four bodies, which were beyond recognition, had been recovered. “Efforts are under way to retrieve other bodies.”

He said nine passengers — four men, three women and two children — managed to jump out of the vehicle soon after the fire engulfed it after its CNG cylinder reportedly exploded.

“Those who were sitting in the rear portion of the vehicle possibly couldn’t get a chance to jump out of the van.”

SSP Shaikh said that the van driver could be among the dead.

The Motorway police reached the place and started taking the injured to Karachi.

The nine injured were taken to hospitals in Karachi because it is nearer than Jamshoro’s Liaquat University Hospital.

Fire-tenders, which had to arrive from Nooriabad, did take some time and by the time they arrived the van had been gutted.

Since fire was massive it could not be extinguished manually. There is no fire-fighting arrangement on the highway.

Published in Dawn February 23rd , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.