QUETTA: More than 40 people were injured on Monday when a truck’s oil tank exploded in Balochistan’s Nushki district, hospital and police officials said. Nine of the injured were in critical condition and were shifted to Quetta for urgent treatment.
Due to a shortage of ambulances, several victims were transported to hospitals in private vehicles. Among the wounded were DSP Nushki Sharif Bareach and firefighters who were injured while battling the blaze.
The intense flames also destroyed a fire brigade vehicle during rescue operations. Authorities declared an emergency at the trauma centre of the Civil Hospital Nushki to handle the large number of casualties.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind expressed deep concern over the incident and announced a full investigation. He assured that provincial authorities would provide complete medical support to all the injured.
Rind said the fire was so intense that it engulfed the fire brigade vehicle present at the scene. He added that over 30 people had suffered burns and were being shifted to Civil Hospital and Bolan Medical College for further treatment.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti expressed sorrow over the tragedy and directed officials to expedite relief and rescue operations. Emergency measures remained in place at hospitals to treat the victims.
