Pakistan: gas cylinder explosion at school bus kills 17 children

GUJRAT - PAKISTAN: -- At least 17 children were burned to death in eastern Pakistan on Saturday when a faulty gas cylinder exploded on the bus taking them to school, police said.

Police officer Mohammed Rasheed said seven children were also injured in the explosion on the outskirts of the city of Gujrat.

"This is a very sad incident. According to our information, at least 17 children were burned to death," he said. "The school bus caught fire after the blast. We have transported all the victims to a nearby hospital."

The van was carrying 24 children to a private school in Gujrat, about 112 kilometres (70 miles) north of the eastern city on Lahore, when it caught fire, local police chief Dar Ali Khattak said.

"The fire erupted in the vehicle when the children were only a few kilometres from their school," he said.

The blaze was apparently caused by a spark when the driver of the dual-fuel van switched from gas to petrol, he said, adding that the fuel gas cylinder was intact.

Full story: http://english.ruvr.ru/news/2013_05_25/Pakistan-gas-cylinder-explosion-at-school-bus-kills-17-children/

-- THE VOICE OF RUSSIA 2013-05-25

Incredibly sad news.

I worry about the LPG and NGV vehicles all over here. Please someone, get some alternative fuels that are safer.