Six killed in Pak navy oil tanker blaze, above 90 injured
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, March 11, IRNA - At least six officers and sailors of the Pakistan Navy were killed and over 90 injured in a fire aboard a navy ship at a dockyard in the port city of Karachi on Thursday. The death toll is feared to climb, as some of the injured are suffering from serious burn injuries and are fighting for their life. "Unfortunately, today Pakistan Navy oil tanker PNS Moawin met an accident of fire, while it was undergoing maintenance work at dockyard. The accident occurred at 1500 hours and there are six casualties, 40 personnel have received minor and 55 serious injuries," a Navy statement said. The blaze at Moawin broke out in fuel tanker after a gas leakage started during naval exercise at 03:00 reports said. "Immediate inquiry has also been ordered to establish the cause of the accident and extent of damages. However, the initial investigation has revealed that the cause was human error," the statement added. The accident reportedly happened as the mechanics did not follow the set procedure. Reports quoted a navy spokesman as saying that some 55 people are in serious condition while 40 received minor injuries and all have been admitted in a navy hospital in Karachi for treatment. Hospital sources said majority of the injured suffered severe burns. Reports said that the blaze started when the mechanics were engaged in repairing exhaust fan, killing three of them on the spot. Besides, three others died in hospital. Ambulances rushed to the site to shift the injured to a naval hospital, and helicopters were also called in to remove the injured. TK/TSH/2326/1432
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