At least 12 people burned to death in Islamabad toll-plaza accident

Motorway police say passenger van catches fire after hitting walls of toll plaza; six critically injured

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: At least 12 people were killed and six others injured when a passenger van caught fire after ramming into the walls of a toll plaza in Islamabad on Monday.

The Islamabad-bound van, carrying 18 passengers, was coming from Sargodha.

According to a motorway police spokesperson, the heavy loss of lives was caused due to fire erupted after the vehicle’s fuel tank exploded. With the help of Edhi rescue workers, the motorway police shifted the injured to various hospitals in the twin cities, he added.

The spokesperson said that nine people died on the spot while three others succumbed to their wounds during treatment. The injured and bodies were later shifted to PIMS hospital, he said, adding that all injured were in critical condition.

12 killed in Mastung highway accident

It appeared in the CCTV footage that the driver dozed off at the wheels and rammed the vehicle into the toll plaza booth, said the spokesperson.

Identification of the deceased will take place at the hospital.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafaat, who along with his team had arrived on the spot, has set up a help desk to assist the affected families. He said two young sisters – Fiza and Saba – were among those who lost their lives in the incident.

Fatah Muhammad, Muhammad Asharaf, Zulfiqar, Muhammad Waqas Haider and Maqsoodan Begum were also identified among deceased, he said, adding that the driver, identified as Aqeel Naqvi, was being treated at CMH in critical condition.

Rawalpindi CPO Abbas Ahsan said the accident took place within the limits of Naseerabad and an investigation to ascertain nature of the mishap was underway.