Twelve people sustained burned injuries in a fire near Landhi Bhains Colony, Karachi.
A van caught on fire with all its occupants inside left two critically-injured patients at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), one suffering from severe third degree burns while the other had second degree burn wounds covering more than 20% of her body surface area, said an official.
The incident occurred Monday night when a van carrying eight passengers refueled near Landhi Bhains Colony after it left Kala Chitbal on its way to Tando Muhammad Khan in Thatta district’s Sindh province bordering with Punjab and Balochistan provinces, said the official who spoke anonymously.
The vehicle was parked for about 15 minutes when fire suddenly erupted from a fuel tank of van which engulfed four women sitting inside along with three men on their way back to Karachi city after attending evening prayer at Dandi Masjid in that area, he said adding the driver also suffered burns.
“The vehicle was completely destroyed while all 12 passengers sustained different degrees of injuries,” said a fire brigade official who spoke over phone from Fire Station No-30 Landhi Bypass Road Karachi and refused to be identified on condition that his name would not appear in the publication, he added.
The injured were brought into PIMS while one was admitted with 95% burn wounds covering nearly all body surface area including head of which four inches diameter had burnt black charred skin leaving nothing but white bones and another who suffered from severe third degree deep partial-thickness burns affecting more than three layers, he said.
“A woman aged in her 30’s has second degree superf0fficial full thickness extensive injuries covering about 28% of body surface area including buttocks and legs with no scars or pigmentation changes,” the official added while asking for his name not to appear.
The patient who sustained severe third-degree burns was taken immediately from Tando Muhammad Khan after attending Eid prayers at Dandi Masjid where he went along others in congregation, said a relative of whom IANS did not reveal her identity on condition that only first name would appear.
“He had gotten out and offered namaz with the other brothers-in-law when fire broke from fuel tank which caught him inside van while four ladies seated behind them in back seat who suffered minor injuries were able to escape unharmed,” said a relative of whom IANS could not be identified.
“He sustained severe burns and was immediately shifted to PIMS where he received immediate treatment along with other patients but his condition remains critical while the second patient has been transferred from Sindh Institute Hospital, Karachi after she suffered third-degree partial thickness wounds on more than 15% of body surface area,” said a relative who spoke by phone.
Asked about reasons behind this mishap and what measures are being taken to prevent such incidents in future the official speaking over telephone told IANS: “This is not our first encounter with similar fire accidents caused due fuel tanks explosion that results into tragedy but we have been working on safety regulations for commercial vehicles which includes installation of seat belts, speed limiters and regular maintenance checks to minimize such unfortunate incidences in future.
“We are also considering introducing mandatory training programs related with vehicular fire safety.”
