Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption People smoking at the scene may have sparked the fire

A lorry carrying fuel has burst into flames near the Pakistani city of Ahmedpur East, killing at least 150 people, local officials say.

Villagers had gathered, reportedly to collect fuel leaking from the crashed tanker, when it caught fire. Dozens are being treated in hospital.

It appears the tanker blew a tyre while rounding a sharp bend in the road.

The fire was sparked by a passer-by lighting a cigarette, a rescue services spokesman told the BBC.

"The incident, which was a minor [one], turned into a major blast," Jam Sajjad said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is cutting short a visit to London in response to the incident, the Pakistani government news agency, APP, reported.

Army helicopters were dispatched to ferry casualties to hospitals, army spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said in a tweet. There are fears that the death toll could rise further.

Some of the victims may only be identified by DNA sampling, as the bodies were so badly burned in the incident, reports say.

Police sources told APP that the tanker had been transporting 25,000 litres (5,500 gallons) of fuel from Karachi to Lahore.

Image copyright EPA Image caption Charred motorbikes littered the road

It left the road and overturned in the Kachi Pul area, they said, about 8km (five miles) from Ahmedpur East, in Punjab's Bahawalpur district.

Police sources said that people in nearby villages had rushed to the scene to collect fuel in pots, and also made phone calls to their relatives in other villages to come to collect the fuel.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Some fire victims were brought to the Nishtar hospital in Multan

Traffic police had tried in vain to keep the crowds away from the tanker as local people, including women and children, continued collecting fuel, the sources said.

A huge fire then erupted, engulfing all the people standing around the vehicle, they said.

Emergency services have struggled to find burns units to treat the injured, APP says.

The Ahmedpur Sharqia Health Centre and Bahawal Victoria Hospital have no such units, but some casualties were taken to Nishtar hospital in Multan and others to hospitals in the city of Bahawalpur, about 50km away.

The country's roads are notoriously dangerous, with poor vehicle maintenance and reckless driving contributing to the problem.</s>Karachi, Pakistan (CNN) At least 153 were killed Sunday when they rushed to collect leaking fuel from a crashed tanker in Bahawalpur, eastern Pakistan, before it suddenly exploded.

The truck veered off the road when the driver lost control, police official Mohammad Akhtar told CNN. As the tanker sat on the side of the road, fuel began leaking out in large pools.

Shortly afterwards an explosion tore the container open like a soda can, engulfing everything around the truck, including women and children, according to the government-run Associated Press of Pakistan

Many victims died immediately, while others succumbed to their injuries at hospitals.

The explosion happened Sunday morning as hundreds of people from nearby villages, as well as workers at a mango garden -- many of them driving cars or motorcycles -- rushed to collect the fuel in pots, according to APP

A Pakistani rescue worker walks by what remains of the tanker truck.

A Pakistani rescue worker walks by what remains of the tanker truck.

People gather behind burned motorcycles and vehicles at the scene of the explosion.

People gather behind burned motorcycles and vehicles at the scene of the explosion.

A burned motorcycle stands next to the wreckage of the tanker truck.

A burned motorcycle stands next to the wreckage of the tanker truck.

Victims are loaded onto a stretcher outside a hospital in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

Victims are loaded onto a stretcher outside a hospital in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

A victim of the blast is brought to a hospital in Bahawalpur.

A victim of the blast is brought to a hospital in Bahawalpur.

Burned bodies are strewn around the wreckage of the tanker.

Burned bodies are strewn around the wreckage of the tanker.

A tanker truck caught fire then exploded after running off the road and overturning near the eastern Pakistani village of Bahawalpur on Sunday, June 25. Before the explosion, villagers had surrounded the truck to collect spilled fuel.

A tanker truck caught fire then exploded after running off the road and overturning near the eastern Pakistani village of Bahawalpur on Sunday, June 25. Before the explosion, villagers had surrounded the truck to collect spilled fuel.

Nishtar Hospital, where many of the wounded were taken, said more than 100 people were injured in the blast. Bahawal Victoria Hospital said it was treating 40 victims, all of whom had suffered burns on at least 70% of their bodies.

Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital Dr. Javed Iqbal told CNN the death toll had risen to 153 people as of Monday afternoon.

At the scene of the blast, photos showed the tanker surrounded by the husks of burned-out motorbikes and automobiles, their windows and tires melted away from the heat.

According to APP, the explosion destroyed 75 motorbikes and six automobiles. Bodies were pulled from cars and a motorcycle rickshaw.

A state of emergency was declared in Bahawalpur, Punjab provincial government spokesman Salman Sufi said.

Police speculate on cause

It's not known what cause the wreck to ignite, but some people gathering at the scene began smoking cigarettes and using their cell phones to inform friends and relatives of the crash.

"Sparking from cell phones could ignite fire," Haroon-ur-Rasheed, a former police official who now handles emergency and rescue operations in Bahawalpur, told the APP.

He added the tanker also was fitted with batteries that could have sparked the blaze.

Officers with the National Highways and Motorway Police urged villagers to stay away from the vehicle, but to no avail, police sources told APP.

The tanker was carrying 25,000 liters (6,600 gallons) of fuel from Karachi to Lahore, roughly 440 kilometers (273 miles) northeast of Bawalpahur.

Images from the scene showed the truck overturned with a gaping hole atop the tanker where the blast had ripped open.

Mohammad Shabbir, a villager, told CNN affiliate Geo TV that the vehicle's driver had warned people to stay away from the truck but his warnings were not heeded.

"What is the use of this petrol? What will you do with it now?" he asked, gesturing towards a bucket in his hand.

Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of Pakistan's military, said army helicopters transported 51 people 60 miles (97 kilometers) north to Combined Military Hospital Multan. They're all in critical confiction, ISPR said.

It added that the road had been reopened and that traffic had started to flow again.

'Deep grief'

Shortly after the accident, Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif "expressed deep grief over the heavy loss of life."

"The Prime Minister has directed provincial government to provide full medical assistance to the injured with burns," a statement from his office said. "The Prime Minister has expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls."

Amid criticism that the government has failed to respond adequately to the tragedy, the prime minister's daughter tweeted that Sharif would cut short his trip to London and return to Pakistan immediately. He was in London for his grandson's graduation ceremony, Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweeted.

PM had come to London to attend his grandson's (my son, brought up by him) graduation ceremony, but owing to the tragic incidents in Pak 1/2 — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) June 25, 2017

He will not be attending the ceremony & is returning to Pak immediately. Says his foremost duty is towards the country & the people. 2/2 — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) June 25, 2017

Chief Minister of Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said an inquiry will be held into the incident.

Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, tweeted that the blaze was "a national tragedy of epic proportions."

The politician and former cricketer said he had asked local leadership to assess what assistance could be provided to the injured and victims' families.

Have asked ldrship present in area to immed assess what assistance can be provided to the injured and to families of victims. https://t.co/E1aTtoocke — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 25, 2017

The US Embassy in Islamabad tweeted its condolences

"We are so saddened to hear of the terrible oil tanker accident in #Bahawalpur," it said. "Our deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims."</s></s>Updated at 8:20 a.m. ET

At least 150 people who had gathered to collect fuel from an overturned tanker truck in Pakistan were killed when it caught fire Sunday, according to The Associated Press.

More than 100 people were injured, many with severe burns.

“Authorities say most of the bodies are burnt beyond recognition and the death toll is likely to rise,” reporter Abdul Sattar in Islamabad reports for NPR. “Children and women are among the injured.”

The oil tanker was traveling to the city of Lahore in Pakistan’s Punjab province when one of the tires burst, causing it to overturn outside of the city of Bahawalpur. Hundreds of people gathered around it, trying to collect the oil after it began leaking.

“People living in roadside villages, carrying domestic pots rushed to the scene to collect oil and they also made phone calls to their relatives living in other villages to immediate[ly] come to collect oil,” police told Pakistan’s state-run APP news.

They told the APP that police tried to prevent people from collecting oil, warning of the fire hazard, but the crowds ignored the warnings.

“According to the initial reports, somebody tried to light a cigarette, and when the spilt fuel caught fire, leading to the tanker’s explosion,” rescue worker spokesman Jam Sajjad Hussain told Reuters.

“Suddenly, huge fire erupted in the oil tanker which engulfed all people standing around the vehicle,” police told the APP. They said the tanker was carrying about 6,600 gallons of oil.

“At least three cars and more than 70 motorcycles were also destroyed in the flames,” Sattar reports.

Dozens of people are being treated in hospitals; several people were airlifted by helicopter. DNA testing may be required to identify some of the victims, according to the BBC.

It took firefighters more than two hours to put out the fire, Reuters reports.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been in London, is “immediately” returning to Pakistan to respond to the incident, the APP reports. He “has expressed deep grief over the heavy loss of life in the unfortunate accident of oil tanker fire at Ahmad Pur Sharqia, Bahawalpur,” he said in a statement from his office to Reuters.</s>A tanker truck caught fire then exploded after running off the road and overturning near the eastern Pakistani village of Bahawalpur on Sunday, June 25. Before the explosion, villagers had surrounded the truck to collect spilled fuel. At least 135 people were killed and more than 100 injured.</s>A tanker truck caught fire then exploded after running off the road and overturning near the eastern Pakistani village of Bahawalpur on Sunday, June 25. Before the explosion, villagers had surrounded the truck to collect spilled fuel.</s>KARACHI, Pakistan (CNN) -- At least 153 were killed Sunday when they rushed to collect leaking fuel from a crashed tanker in Bahawalpur, eastern Pakistan, before it suddenly exploded.

The truck veered off the road when the driver lost control, police official Mohammad Akhtar told CNN. As the tanker sat on the side of the road, fuel began leaking out in large pools.

It's not known what cause the wreck to ignite, but some people gathering at the scene began smoking cigarettes and using their cell phones to inform friends and relatives of the crash.

"Sparking from cell phones could ignite fire," Haroon-ur-Rasheed, a former police official who now handles emergency and rescue operations in Bahawalpur, told the government-run Associated Press of Pakistan.

He added the tanker also was fitted with batteries that could have sparked the blaze.

Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital Dr. Javed Iqbal told CNN the death toll had risen to 153 people as of Monday afternoon.

The explosion happened Sunday morning as hundreds of people from nearby villages, as well as workers at a mango garden -- many of them driving cars or motorcycles -- rushed to collect the fuel in pots, according to APP.

The blast engulfed everything around the truck, including women and children, APP reported. Many victims died immediately, while others succumbed to their injuries at hospitals.

Nishtar Hospital, where many of the wounded were taken, said more than 100 people were injured in the blast. Bahawal Victoria Hospital said it was treating 40 victims, all of whom had suffered burns on at least 70% of their bodies.

A state of emergency was declared in Bahawalpur, Punjab provincial government spokesman Salman Sufi said.

Officers with the National Highways and Motorway Police urged villagers to stay away from the vehicle, but to no avail, police sources told APP.

The tanker was carrying 25,000 liters (6,600 gallons) of fuel from Karachi to Lahore, roughly 440 kilometers (273 miles) northeast of Bawalpahur.

Images from the scene showed the truck overturned with a gaping hole atop the tanker where the blast had ripped it open like a soda can.

It was surrounded by the husks of burned-out motorbikes and automobiles, their windows and tires melted away from the heat.

According to APP, the explosion destroyed 75 motorbikes and six automobiles. Bodies were pulled from cars and a motorcycle rickshaw, APP said.

Mohammad Shabbir, a villager, told CNN affiliate Geo TV that the vehicle's driver had warned people to stay away from the truck but his warnings were not heeded.

"What is the use of this petrol? What will you do with it now?" he asked, gesturing towards a bucket in his hand.

Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of Pakistan's military, said army helicopters transported 51 people 60 miles (97 kilometers) north to Combined Military Hospital Multan. They're all in critical confiction, ISPR said.

It added that the road had been reopened and that traffic had started to flow again.

Shortly after the accident, Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif "expressed deep grief over the heavy loss of life."

"The Prime Minister has directed provincial government to provide full medical assistance to the injured with burns," a statement from his office said. "The Prime Minister has expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls."

Amid criticism that the government has failed to respond adequately to the tragedy, the prime minister's daughter tweeted that Sharif would cut short his trip to London and return to Pakistan immediately. He was in London for his grandson's graduation ceremony, Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweeted.

Chief Minister of Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said an inquiry will be held into the incident.

Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, tweeted that the blaze was "a national tragedy of epic proportions."

The politician and former cricketer said he had asked local leadership to assess what assistance could be provided to the injured and victims' families.

The US Embassy in Islamabad tweeted its condolences.

"We are so saddened to hear of the terrible oil tanker accident in #Bahawalpur," it said. "Our deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims."</s>Smoke billowed from the truck that fell off the road Sunday when the driver lost control in the city of Bahawalpur, police official Mohammad Akhtar told CNN.

The explosion came as villagers began to gather around the truck in an attempt to collect oil in containers, Akhtar said.

The blast has left at least 130 people injured. A state of emergency has been declared in the city, Punjab provincial government spokesman Salman Sufi said.

Bahawalpur’s Victoria Hospital said it was treating 40 of the injured, all of whom have suffered 70% burns.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan’s military, said a total of 51 people with serious burns and in critical condition have been transported by army helicopters to the city of Multan.

It added that the road had been reopened and that traffic had started to flow again.

Shortly after the accident, Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif “expressed deep grief over the heavy loss of life.”

“The Prime Minister has directed provincial government to provide full medical assistance to the injured with burns,” a statement from his office said. “The Prime Minister has expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls.”

Chief Minister of Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said an inquiry would be held into the incident.

Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, tweeted that the blaze was “a national tragedy of epic proportions.”

The politician and former cricketer said he had asked local leadership to assess what assistance could be provided to the injured and victims’ families.

The US Embassy in Islamabad tweeted its condolences. “We are so saddened to hear of the terrible oil tanker accident in #Bahawalpur,” it said. “Our deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.”</s>Local residents look at burnt bodies after an oil tanker caught fire on a highway Sunday in Pakistan. STR/AFP/Getty Images hide caption At least 123 people who had gathered to collect fuel from an overturned tanker truck in Pakistan were killed when it caught fire Sunday.

Start the conversation, or Read more at National Public Radio.</s>Many bodies were burned beyond recognition and television pictures showed piles of burnt out motorbikes, apparently those of people who arrived to collect fuel or just to have a look.

An oil tanker crashed on a road in Pakistan on Sunday and 132 people, many of whom had rushed to collect leaking fuel, were killed when it exploded, apparently after someone lit a cigarette, officials said.

The tanker overturned on a sharp bend on a highway on the outskirts of the city of Bahawalpur. The driver lost control when the vehicle blew a tire, a provincial government spokesman said.

A large crowd of people gathered, many to collect fuel in containers, and the tanker exploded in a huge fireball about 45 minutes later. Rescue workers said about 80 people had been injured.

"People of the area and passersby had started gathering fuel when it exploded, burning everybody," provincial government spokesman Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan told Reuters.

An estimated 20 children were among the dead, he said.

The accident happened the day before Pakistan celebrates the Eid al-Fitr festival, when families get together to celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Many bodies were burned beyond recognition and television pictures showed piles of burnt out motorbikes, apparently those of people who arrived to collect fuel or just to have a look.

Police had tried to clear the area before the explosion but people ignored them, Khan said, adding that the initial crash had blocked the road causing a back-up of traffic.

The driver of the tanker survived the accident and had been taken into police custody, he said.

About 50 people were killed in separate bomb attacks in Pakistan on Friday but there was no suggestion of an attack on Sunday.

"According to initial reports, somebody tried to light a cigarette," said a spokesman for the rescue services, Jam Sajjad Hussain.

Firefighters took two hours to douse the flames.

Police in the area could not immediately be reached for comment.

About 40 people with serious burns were airlifted to hospitals in the nearby city of Multan.
Over 150 people die and dozens are injured, many critically, when an oil tanker truck overturns and explodes as people from surrounding villages gather around the truck to collect the spilling oil. The accident happened in Bahawalpur, eastern Pakistan.