Quetta: At least six people were killed and 10 others injured when a passenger van caught fire following a collision in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, rescue officials said Tuesday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the accident occurred on Quetta's Western Bypass, a busy route in the provincial capital. The van collided with a rickshaw, triggering a fire that engulfed both vehicles, as explained by Muhammad Zeeshan, manager of operations at the Edhi Foundation's rescue department in Quetta.

Zeeshan further noted that the rickshaw was illegally carrying petrol, which intensified the blaze. "The van caught fire immediately after the collision due to the petrol, leaving passengers little time to escape," Zeeshan said. "The fire spread rapidly, trapping many inside the vehicle."

Rescue teams arrived at the scene shortly after the accident. The injured were extracted from the burning van and transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, with at least two reported to be in critical condition.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident, with a particular focus on the illegal transportation of flammable materials in passenger vehicles, which is a recurring hazard in the region.