11 hurt as school van catches fire in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW - At least 11 students received burn injuries Saturday when a school van carrying them burst into flames following a gas leak from its LPG tank in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district, police said.

All the 11 students of a private school, who are in the age group of 8-13 years, are being treated in the Azamgarh district hospital and a primary health centre. Doctors said the condition of three is critical.

According to police, the accident took place in the Bilariyaganj area, some 300-km from here, where the van of the Ma Yashoda Inter College caught fire.

“We have ordered a probe against the school administration. It appears to be a case of negligence as the students were virtually packed inside the van. There were 22 students inside the van at the time of accident,” acting District Magistrate Chhotelal told IANS over telephone.

Asked whether an authorised LPG kit was fitted in the vehicle, he said: “It’s a matter of enquiry…it will be probed whether the driver and the school authorities followed other crucial safety norms while ferrying the students.”

The driver of the school van run away after the accident.

“He (driver) managed to escape. We are trying to arerst him,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Jogendra Lal told IANS over telephone from Azamgarh.