In Ahmadpur East, near the toll plaza, a terrible fire broke out in a van carrying female students home after their college exams. The van was using gas, and a leak caused the fire.
There were 19 students in the van. They had come from Liaquatpur for their exams at a private college. After the fire started, the Motorway Police, Rescue 1122, and local people helped put it out and took the injured students to Ahmadpur Sharqia Hospital.
Sadly, 19-year-old Tayyaba Abbas died from her burn injuries. Ten other girls were badly hurt, some with burns on up to 70% of their bodies. Two of the most seriously injured students were sent to the Multan Burns Unit for better treatment.
Tayyaba’s father, Ahmed Abbas, told the media his daughter was badly burnt and demanded strict punishment for those using poor-quality gas cylinders. Another parent, Muhammad Ramzan, said the college had arranged the van, but they chose a cheap one to save money. He said the college still charged the students Rs3,000 for transport.
The police have registered a case against the van owner. Two college staff members have also been arrested. The Chief Minister of Punjab has taken notice of the incident and asked officials to make sure all injured students get the best medical care.
Vehari: Dangerous LPG Vans Still in Use for Students
In Vehari and nearby areas, many school and college vans are running on LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). These vans are unsafe and are making parents very worried.
Most of these vans are used by private schools and colleges. Many of them have gas leaks or strong smells, which show that they are not safe. People say these vans were not properly changed to run on LPG. They do not meet safety rules, but schools still use them to save fuel costs.
One parent said his daughter’s van always smells of gas. He told the van driver and school many times, but no one fixed the problem. He said it’s sad that children’s lives are being put at risk just to save some money.
Another citizen said the vans use low-quality gas kits, are not well-maintained, and many drivers are not properly trained. Most of the vans don’t even have fire extinguishers in case something goes wrong.
A local lawyer said the government should quickly check all school vans using LPG. He called for a strict crackdown on these unsafe vehicles to protect children’s lives.
In light of the tragic fire incident in Ahmadpur, it is imperative to enforce strict fire safety protocols for all school and college transport vehicles, particularly those using LPG systems.
The following fire safety measures must be implemented with immediate effect:
Mandatory Installation of Fire Extinguishers:
All school vans and buses must be equipped with at least one certified and fully functional fire extinguisher, easily accessible to both drivers and passengers.Regular Safety Inspections:
Vehicles running on LPG or other alternative fuels must undergo monthly safety inspections by trusted fire safety consultants to detect gas leaks, faulty kits, or any other fire hazards.Ban on Unapproved LPG Conversions:
Only professionally converted LPG systems, approved by relevant authorities, should be allowed. Any vehicle with a substandard or unsafe conversion must be removed from service immediately.Driver and Staff Training:
All drivers and transport staff must be trained in basic fire safety and emergency evacuation procedures, including proper use of extinguishers and first aid.Emergency Exit Readiness:
Vans and buses must be equipped with clearly marked and accessible emergency exits that are not blocked or jammed.Compliance Certification:
No educational institution should be allowed to contract a transport service unless the vehicle carries a valid fire safety compliance certificate.Reporting and Accountability System:
Schools must set up a reporting mechanism for parents and students to raise safety concerns. Every complaint should be investigated and resolved within a fixed timeframe.Awareness Campaigns:
Schools and local authorities must run awareness programs for parents, drivers, and school management on fire hazards, safety practices, and children’s rights to safe transport
