BAHAWALPUR: A girl student died while 19 others suffered burns in an LPG cylinder blast in a wagon near Ahmedpur East, about 40km from here, on Tuesday.
According to Abid Rahim, in-charge of Rescue 1122 Ahmedpur East, the vehicle was transporting 20 students of a private college in Liaquatpur after their test papers. As the wagon approached the Ahmedpur East Toll Plaza, it suddenly caught fire due to a gas leak from the LPG cylinder. The vehicle was engulfed in flames before emergency services could arrive. Several passengers attempted to escape by jumping from the wagon but many still suffered serious burns.
One student, Taiba Abbas (19), succumbed to her injuries, while 19 others sustained burns. Rescue 1122 teams administered first aid to nine students on the spot. Ten others identified as Sana (25) d/o Allah Ditta, Sana (19) d/o Muhammad Ramzan, Tania (19), Maria (19), Mishal (20), Umme Habiba (17), Ujala (18), Ayesha (19), Rahat Bibi (19), and Munaza (18) were shifted to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Ahmedpur East.
Five of the critically injured - Rahat Bibi, Munaza, Mishal, Sana (d/o Ramzan), and Maria - were later referred to Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH), Bahawalpur.
Upon receiving the information, Divisional Commissioner Bahawalpur Ms. Musarrat Jabeen, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Farhan Farooq and DPO Muhammad Hassan Iqbal, visited the hospital to inquire after the victims. The commissioner directed the hospital administration to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured students.
According to the DPO’s PRO Rao Kashif, Saddar police from Ahmedpur East reached the scene and launched legal proceedings against the driver, who fled the scene. DPO Iqbal said both the driver and the vehicle owner would be arrested soon, adding that the driver was also involved in another case.
Sources toldDawnthat the college administration in Liaquatpur had booked the wagon for transporting the students. Following directives from the civil administration, two staff members of the college Shehzad and Faizan were arrested.
It was also revealed that the Special Branch in Bahawalpur had issued a warning three months ago about the illegal installation and use of LPG cylinders in school and college vans. However, the district administration in Rahim Yar Khan failed to take action, which allegedly led to the incident.
Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025
