A man and his daughter ride a motorcycle past a burnt-out school bus after a gas cylinder on it exploded killing seventeen children on the outskirts of Gujrat. PHOTO: REUTERS
In a tragic incident, an explosion in a school van in Gujrat killed a teacher and 17 schoolchildren when the driver of the dual-fuel van switched from gas to petrol. The death of children aged between five and 15 years is heartbreaking and we cannot even imagine the pain their parents must be going through. Five of the children are reported to be in critical condition and have been sent to Lahore for treatment. Needless to say, every effort must be made to save their lives.
Moreover, this incident highlights the dire need to pay acute attention to safety standards, which seems to be missing in Pakistan, whether it is in the case of fires breaking out in buildings, or in this case, in the installation of gas cylinders in vehicles. The option to switch from gas to petrol is economical and may indeed enable not only the driver to make a living, but also the parents to be able to afford sending their children to school. However, notwithstanding the economics of using gas for cars, the least that can be done is that safety standards in installations be followed.
According to news reports, the driver of the bus has fled the scene. Indeed, he must be apprehended and the case investigated to the end. We have seen many other incidents, which have led to terrible loss of life because of negligence and carelessness. This state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue.
The incident also highlights the need for a good public transport system in the country, which adheres to all safety standards and provides a viable alternative to citizens. With the incoming government’s stress on infrastructure, we hope these issues are addressed and, more importantly, done in a well thought out manner that leaves no room for the kind of gross criminal negligence that was at display in this particular incident. What is needed is strict scrutiny of gas cylinders before they are installed in vehicles and routine checks after their installation. The lives of our citizens, especially children, are too precious to risk in such a manner.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2013.
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