ROJHAN - At least five people, including three children, were killed while ten others sustained burn injuries when a passenger van carrying wedding party suddenly caught fire near the Shamsabad toll plaza on Saturday.
According to Rescue officials, three children were among those burnt to death in the fire. The dead and injured have been shifted to a nearby medical facility, the officials added. It has not yet been determined how the van caught the fire, nor was there any immediate word as to the identities of those killed and injured in the horrific incident.
Rescue services shifted the dead bodies and injured to the DHQ hospital. Dr Inamullah Jamali, MS at District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital, told the media that an emergency had been imposed at the hospital as all doctors, paramedics and other staff had been asked to remain alert while additional beds had also been arranged. Although Rescue 1122 officials and fire brigade officials reached the site but by that time the entire van had been gutted.
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives in an incident of fire in a passenger van near Rajanpur.
The Chief Minister sought a report from Commissioner and Regional Police Officer (RPO) Dera Ghazi Khan and directed to probe into the incident.
He said that a comprehensive report should be submitted to the CM’s office. He extended heartfelt sympathies and condolence with the bereaved families and directed the administration to provide the best medical facilities to the injured.
Two killed, one injured in road accident
A woman and her teenage daughter were killed while their relative received injuries in a road traffic accident in the area of Sitiana police station.
Rescue-1122 spokesman said on Saturday that a speedy van hit a motorcycle near Sitiana Stop on Faisalabad Road. As a result, Arshad Bibi (50) and her daughter Khizra (16) received serious injuries and died on the spot whereas Allah Ditta (40) was shifted to Allied Hospital in critical condition.
Receiving information, area police also reached the spot and started investigation by taking bodies into custody.