Two oil tankers blow up at Rawalpindi depot
Tankers blew up as one driver's attempt to remove obstacle from his air lock caused sparks.
ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI:
Two oil tankers exploded as they were exiting an oil depot near the Benazir international airport in Rawalpindi early Friday morning, Express News reported. No casualties were reported.
An eye witness said that two oil tankers were exiting the oil depot, located near the airport, after topping up when one of the tankers experienced a problem with its air locks. As its driver tried to remove the obstacle, some sparks flew. Shortly there after the two tankers blew up with a loud explosion.
Emergency teams from Islamabad and Rawalpindi and the armed forces have reached the spot and managed to put out the resultant fire. They are currently working to prevent any further fires from erupting at the depot.
DSP Civil Lines Naveed Tariq said that there were no casualties in the blast, the crew of the two tankers were safe. He added that the depot contains petrol, diesel and flammable oils. He also confirmed that a spark from the air lock first caused a large fire ball with a blast soon thereafter.
Eye witnesses say emergency services brought in two dump trucks full of sand to cover the spilt oil to prevent the spread of fire.
Drivers of the other tankers parked at the depot said that their vehicles were out of danger.
Police and security forces have cordoned off the area.
Surrounding residential areas of Gharibabad and Rahmatabad have been evacuated, Express News reported.
Two oil tankers exploded as they were exiting an oil depot near the Benazir international airport in Rawalpindi early Friday morning, Express News reported. No casualties were reported.
An eye witness said that two oil tankers were exiting the oil depot, located near the airport, after topping up when one of the tankers experienced a problem with its air locks. As its driver tried to remove the obstacle, some sparks flew. Shortly there after the two tankers blew up with a loud explosion.
Emergency teams from Islamabad and Rawalpindi and the armed forces have reached the spot and managed to put out the resultant fire. They are currently working to prevent any further fires from erupting at the depot.
DSP Civil Lines Naveed Tariq said that there were no casualties in the blast, the crew of the two tankers were safe. He added that the depot contains petrol, diesel and flammable oils. He also confirmed that a spark from the air lock first caused a large fire ball with a blast soon thereafter.
Eye witnesses say emergency services brought in two dump trucks full of sand to cover the spilt oil to prevent the spread of fire.
Drivers of the other tankers parked at the depot said that their vehicles were out of danger.
Police and security forces have cordoned off the area.
Surrounding residential areas of Gharibabad and Rahmatabad have been evacuated, Express News reported.