Accident on Quetta-Karachi highway leaves 38 dead

HUB: Two passenger coaches and two trucks collided on the Quetta-Karachi highway leaving at least 38 people dead and 15 others critically injured, Express News correspondent Shezad Baloch reported on Saturday. The accident took place in the Gaddani area of Lasbela district and the injured were taken to hospitals in Hub as well as Karachi for medical assistance. Emergency was declared at the hospitals. Women and children were among the deceased. Eidhi officials said that the incident occurred 12km away from Gaddani Morh. One coach was on its way to Karachi from Quetta while the other was going to Karachi from Turbat. After the collision, the vehicles had caught fire and were completely destroyed. Deputy Commissioner Amir Sultan confirmed the death toll and said the number of the people killed may rise as most of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition. “I do not think anyone escaped or is alive on the Turbat-Karachi bound bus,” he added. The passenger bus was carrying illegal Iranian diesel and the collision with a truck lead to a huge explosion. “Government of Balochistan will investigate the incident,” stated spokesperson of Balochistan government Jan Mohammed Buledi, adding that the government will compensate the grieving families. “The passenger bus tried to overtake a vehicle and collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction. There was a huge explosion after the collision as the bus was carrying oil,” District Police Officer (DPO) Ahmed Nawaz Cheema told The Express Tribune. Cheema added that at the same time another passenger bus coming to Karachi from Quetta collided with another truck at the same place, leaving two people dead. The Turbat-Karachi bound bus was being driven by the conductor when the accident occurred, Express News reported. The coach driver was asleep in the back at that time, a doctor at the Civil Hospital in Karachi said. Rescue operation is underway and none of the deceased have been identified as of yet. DNA samples will be sent to Islamabad for identification. “The incident took place around 5 am. Rescue workers, police and fire tenders reached the scene soon,” said a rescue worker. Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Malik Baloch ordered an inquiry into the incident. “It is a tragic incident and I extend my grief and sorrow with the grieving families,” he stated.