Bahawalpur inferno: At least 88 victims identified through DNA tests

BAHAWALPUR: Disbursing the compensation money to heirs of Ahmepur Sharqia inferno victims, City Assistant Commissioner Mahar Abdul Rauf confirmed that as many as 88 victims of oil tanker tragedy have been identified through results of DNA tests received by the location administration from the laboratory in Lahore.

He anticipated more DNA test results within a week.

Talking to a local newspaper, he said after the test results, the heirs of the victims were identified and taken to tagged graves of their relatives at Basti Azam Graveyard.

“A special counter has been set up for the claimants of compensation to clear their cheques without any hassle,” the AC further said.

Announcing payment of compensation amount, Bahawalpur District Accounts Officer (DAO) Farhan Hamdani said that his office had cleared 227 compensation cheques for payment to the victims’ legal heirs and those injured in the incident.

He confirmed 165 cheques worth Rs2 million each for the victims.