27 killed in fire after bus-truck collision near Bela
27 killed in fire after bus-truck collision near Bela
Saadullah Akhtar
BalochistanLatest

QUETTA: At least 27 people were killed and 16 others sustained injuries as a Karachi-Panjgur bound passenger coach collided with a Mazda near Bela cross at the Quetta-Karachi highway on Monday.

QUETTA: At least 27 people were killed and 16 others sustained injuries as a Karachi-Panjgur bound passenger coach collided with a Mazda near Bela cross at the Quetta-Karachi highway on Monday.

According to District Administration the passenger coach carrying 37 people on board was heading to Pnajgur when a speedy Mazda coming from the opposite side hit the bus leaving 26 passenger dead on the spot injuring 16 among three in critical condition, however rescue sources said that 27 people were killed and 16 injured.

“The collision ignited flames inside the passenger coach and destroyed the entire bus, we have pulled-out 21 bodies but there are possibilities of more bodies inside the bus.” Deputy Commissioner Lasbela Shabir Mengal said added three critical injured were evacuated to Karachi for their severe burn injuries while 8 being treated in Bela Hospital.

As rescue workers pulled out the bodies from the bus and the truck, the death toll rose to 27, SSP Lasbela Agha Ramzan Ali told Daily Balochistan Express.

Rescue workers along with district administration rushed to the spot and extinguished fire emitting from the bus.

Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan Aliyani express grieve over the accident and loss of innocent live in Bela Accident and directed authorities of immediate medical assistance to the injured. CM Jam Kamal directed the District Administration to evacuate all injured to Karachi for better medical care while ordered investigation over the accident.

Local officials said, there might presence of smuggled inside the passenger coach or Mazda which caused flames inside the passenger coach.

In 2014 more than 38 people were killed in a one of the deadliest accidents in Balochistan at Quetta-Karachi highway when two passenger coaches carrying smuggle oil collided.

Provincial Health Minister directed health department to ensure all possible health facilities to the injured of Bela Accident, “The critical injured had been shifted to Karachi while the provincial government will provide them all health facilities.” Naseebullah marri said.

He added, Health Department will fully cooperate with the heirs of dead passengers to identify the burnt bodies.