In a harrowing incident near Pindi Bhattian, a passenger bus collided with a pickup truck laden with drums of diesel on Sunday, resulting in a devastating fire that claimed at least 16 lives.
The incident occurred on the motorway at approximately 4:30 am, shrouding the day in tragedy.
The ill-fated passenger bus, en route from Karachi to Islamabad, met a fatal collision with the pickup truck, causing an immediate eruption of flames that engulfed the bus.
The drivers of both vehicles tragically lost their lives in the crash.
Amidst the chaos, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) promptly intervened, evacuating 15 passengers safely from the scene. The injured, including some in critical condition, were rushed to a hospital in Faisalabad for medical attention.
Inspector General Sultan Ali Khawaja of NHMP visited the accident site to oversee relief efforts, expressing his condolences for the lives lost.
Initial investigations pointed towards negligence on the part of the bus driver as a contributing factor to the accident. As a result, the relevant commander and night patrolling officer were suspended, and a comprehensive inquiry was initiated.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Muhammad Saleem confirmed that a dedicated inquiry committee had been established to investigate the incident further and submit a comprehensive report within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the Edhi Foundation, which played a critical role in the aftermath, encountered challenges in identifying the burned bodies and announced that DNA testing would be required for accurate identification.
Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi expressed his sorrow over the tragic event and emphasized the importance of uncovering the reasons behind the collision to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
