By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan ‘s Oil and Gas regulator, OGRA has ordered the oil marketing company, Shell Pakistan to pay about 257 million rupees ($2.4 million) in damages and compensation for a tanker explosion that killed more than 200 people in central Pakistan town of Bahawalpur on June 25.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has held Shell Pakistan Ltd (SPL), responsible for the blast in Punjab province
after the tanker carrying gasoline for the company turned turtle
and locals rushed to collect the spilled petroleum.
According to the authority, the road accident was caused by “non-professional
driving/vehicle being lesser than required specifications.
“The report shows that they have completely ignored the safety standards of the vehicles procured from the contractors,” OGRA officials said.
At least 217 people were killed in the explosion and 61 were
Injured in the incident that lent gloom to the Eid festival in Pakistan.
The energy regulator ordered Shell Pakistan to pay a penalty
of 10 million rupees ($95,000).
In addition, OGRA ordered the company to pay one
million rupees in compensation to the families of each
of those killed and half a million for each person
injured.
The regulator has also ordered the company to upgrade its
“infrastructure” in line with its standards.
