Islamabad, June 30 (IANS): The death toll in the oil tanker explosion in Pakistan's Punjab province has reached 190, after 17 more persons died from severe burns, a government official said on Friday.

Officials also said 153 bodies were laid to rest after collective funeral prayers. The deceased included the tanker driver who warned people scooping up spilled fuel to stay away but was ignored, the Daily Times reported.

A government inquiry into the incident found at least six police officials guilty of hiding information and they were suspended.

The tragedy occurred on Sunday when an oil tanker carrying 40,000 litres of fuel overturned near Bahawalpur city in Punjab.

It exploded minutes later as crowds from a nearby village rushed to collect the flowing petrol from the tanker. 

The authorities have started removing the debris of motorbikes, cars and rickshaws from the site of the explosion and one side of the highway was opened for traffic.