LAHORE: 23 people have been killed and several others injured in a collision between a bus and a passenger van on National Highway in southern Pakistan. The incident took place near the Gajjo area in Thatta town, 130 kilometres (80 miles) east of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and financial capital.
The accident is the most violent one in the history of Thatta. Police, rescue teams and local citizens reached the location of the accident and began pulling victims from the wreckage.
District Coordination Officer (DCO) of Thatta, Muhammad Jaffer Abbas, told a private television channel that 20 people were pronounced DOA at the District Hospital Makli whereas 25 injured were taken to Gharo Hospital, three of whom were critical.
“The van collided with the bus while overtaking another vehicle on national highway. 20 people have died and 13 wounded,” Mohammad Ali Wassan, Thatta police chief told AFP. Wassan said the injured have been transported to local hospitals, and seven of the wounded passengers were in serious condition.
An eye witness, Saeed Javed, stated that the accident was so violent that body parts were scattered on the road.
The rescue activity was hampered due to darkness.
Some most seriously wounded were also taken to the Civil Hospital in Karachi.