At least 123 people were killed when an oil tanker burst into flames in the Pakistani city of Bahawalpur, BBC reported quoting local officials.

It has been learnt that the tanker overturned after trying to make a sharp turn and is reported to have exploded after fuel leaking from its damaged container caught fire.

Seventy-five people were injured as a result of the incident, Pakistan's Dawn reported.

A large crowd of people, including women and children, had gathered at the scene to collect the leaked oil when the fire erupted.

People smoking at the scene may have sparked the fire, Pakistan's Geo TV reports, quoting eyewitnesses.

The country's roads are notoriously dangerous, with poor vehicle maintenance and reckless driving contributing to the problem, correspondents say.

Army helicopters were dispatched to ferry casualties to hospitals, army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor said in a tweet.

Pakistani media have published pictures from the scene, showing charred bodies and vehicles. There are fears that the death toll could rise further.

At least six cars and 12 motorcycles were burnt, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported. The fire was extinguished by two fire engines.

Some victims may only be identified by DNA sampling as bodies were badly burned in the incident, reports said.