At least 26 people were killed in an accident between a coach and an oil tanker in Balochistan’s Hub on Monday, Deputy Commissioner Lasbela Shabbir Mengal said.
Mengal said at least 16 people have been wounded in the accident, four of them severely, and have been shifted to a hospital for treatment. The bus was heading to Panjgor from Karachi, he added.
Earlier police said the passenger coach caught fire after the collision, adding that nearly 40 people were inside the vehicle at the time. A huge fire broke out following the collision because the truck was reportedly carrying Iranian diesel. Huge flames engulfed the coach and the truck and trapped those inside the two vehicles.
Rescue officials rushed to the scene after the accident and started relief activities. Efforts to shift the injured to Karachi were delayed due to absence of enough ambulances. The injured were finally on their way to Karachi once Edhi ambulances reached the accident site.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has expressed sorrow over the accident and directed the local administration to immediately provide medical assistance to the injured. He directed the administration to complete investigation and submit a report into the incident.
Published in Daily Times, January 22nd 2019.
