QUETTA: At least eight people burned to death and seven others were injured when a passenger coach and a truck caught fire after a head-on collision near Nokundi in Chagai district on Saturday.

According to officials, the coach was on its way to Taftan town on the Iranian border when it collided with the truck coming from the opposite direction at a blind bend near Landhi.

“Both vehicles caught fire after the collision, killing six passengers as well as both drivers,” said Chagai Deputy Commissioner Shahik Baloch.

Four bodies charred beyond recognition; Zehri orders inquiry

Eight people, including an official of the Frontier Corps (FC) who was going to Taftan, died on the spot, said Mr Baloch. FC and Levies personnel took the bodies and injured to the Prince Fahad hospital in Dalbandin.

“Four of the eight bodies were charred beyond recognition,” Mr Baloch said.

According to the Levies officials, the coach was carrying 13 passengers to Taftan from Quetta.

“An investigation is under way to ascertain how the two vehicles caught fire after the collision,” said a Levies official, adding that the bodies of Pervez Ahmed, Luckmir Khan, Malik Shah Muhammad and Abdul Ghafoor had been identified.

Four of the seven injured passengers were shifted to the Bolan Medical College Hospital in Quetta due to severe burn injuries.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri asked the authorities concerned to investigate the incident and ensure all the required medical facilities for the injured.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2016