BREAKING: 14 people burn to death

At least 14 people, including four children, were burnt to death when a passenger van caught fire after colliding with a truck in Pakistan on Tuesday, the Police said.

Another five people were severely injured in the accident that took place near the capital, Islamabad, said Mahmud Ali Khokhar, spokesperson for the highway police.

He confirmed that four children were among the dead and all the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.

Khokhar said it appeared that the van driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into the truck.

Bad roads, poorly maintained vehicles and a substandard safety regime cause numerous accidents in Pakistan every year, leading to more than 5,000 deaths, according to government statistics.

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In June, a fuel tanker overturned in eastern Pakistan and then burst into flames when locals gathered to collect oil, killing about 200 people.