‘Around 300 to 350 fuel trucks torched in Islam Qala fire’

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): A number of drivers and truck owners claim more than 750 trucks of commercial goods torched in Islam Qala port fire in western Herat province while the provincial governor estimates the number of cargo vehicles destroyed in the incident at 300 to 350.

Two days back, a massive fire erupted in the Islam Qala custom post that continued for 12 hours.

Herat governor, Abdul Wahid Qatali, in a press conference today said that Islam Qala port had the capacity of parking 2,500 vehicles.

At the time of the fire, 1,500 trucks shifted to Iran, 310 vehicles to Islam Qala commissar headquarters and 650 to Islam Qala highway Ghorian district, he said.

The fire probably torched around 300 to 350 trucks, he added.

A team has been appointed to estimate the damages caused by the fire and no one is allowed to enter to the area until the damage assessment process completed, Qatali added.

He said that some mafia figures in cooperation with drivers have pulled their trucks loaded with illegal goods from the area to prevent being exposed.

He said that dozens of trucks evacuated from the fire scene parked on highways but their owners and drivers were absent.

No one would be allowed to misuse the situation and all the goods would be handed over to their real owners after a procedure, he said.

Qatali added that a number of people who started looting from the fire scene and security forces so far recovered 70 vehicles looted by local people and drivers.

He warned of serious action against robbers, corrupt figures in Islam Qala port and opportunists and said all violators would be taken to justice.

A number of truck drivers whose vehicles torched in the fire, said that around 700 up to 1,000 vehicles were destroyed in the incident. They say all their goods also torched in the fire.

A number of traders also expressed concern over looting of commercial goods from the area and say that local people even stole their vehicles.

Meanwhile, Herat police spokesman, Abdul Ahad Walizada, said that a 10-member team comprised of personnel from the central government and security arrived to the fire area.

He said that the team would assess the incident and protect goods at the port.

mds

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