At least 20 people were burnt alive when a passenger bus collided with an oil tanker in the Punjab province of Pakistan on Tuesday.

According to local sources, the accident occurred on a motorway in Multan, 350kms from Lahore because of over speeding.

“After the collision, both the bus and oil tanker caught fire and the passengers were burnt alive. Six passengers who suffered burn injuries were shifted to Nishtar Hospital in Multan where their condition is stated to be critical,” a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said.

Traffic remained suspended on the motorway for several hours.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the deadly accident.

“The oil tanker accident at Jalalpur Pirwala Interchange is very tragic. Saddened by the loss of 20 precious lives in the accident. My prayers are with the bereaved families. We pray to Allah Almighty to give the deceased a place in His mercy and give patience to the bereaved families,” Sharif said in on Twitter. (ILKHA)