SARGODHA: Seven passengers were burnt alive and 14 others sustained burns when a van caught fire due to a gas cylinder blast in it near Bhalwal Commerce College, 34 kilometres from here, on Saturday.

According to police, an overloaded Hiace van was going from Bhalwal to Kot Momin, when the gas cylinder installed in it exploded near Bhalwal Commerce College.

As a result, the van caught fire that burnt alive seven of the passengers, including two minor girls.

At least 14 other passengers suffered burns in the incident before being rescued by passersby, including a police head constable.

According to police, because of the fire the bodies of the seven passengers had become unidentifiable.

Those who suffered burns in the incident were shifted to the Bhalwal Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ). Four of them were later shifted to Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, because of their critical condition as there is no burns unit at the Bhalwal THQ Hospital, despite a longstanding demand by the area people.

On the direction of the divisional commissioner, the deputy commissioner has constituted a committee to probe into the tragic incident and submit a report within 24 hours.

Though there is a ban on installation of gas cylinders in the public transport vehicles, the owners flout it openly, without any check.

Following the incident, the district administration has again ordered removal of gas cylinders from the public transport vehicles.

The commissioner, the regional police officer (RPO), DC, district police officer and other officials visited the THQ hospital and inquired after the injured persons.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2023