KARACHI, Dec 30: As many as 18 guards of a private security agency were killed when their van collided with a trailer off the National Highway on Tuesday night.

DIG Traffic Mohammad Yameen Khan told Dawn that the accident took place near the gate of the Port Qasim Authority off the highway.

The guards — belonging to Crown Security Agency — were returning to the city after completing their duties in Bin Qasim area, the DIG added.

Police said the van (KH 9715), carrying around 20 security guards, collided with a 10-wheeler trailer (JT-9228) which was coming from the wrong side.

Police said the trailer driver escaped from the spot, while the vehicle had been impounded. The collision was so intense that 18 security guards died on the spot while three received injuries who were shifted to the JPMC, where their condition was stated to be serious.

The dead included Bismillah Khan, 38; Rehmat Ali, 35; Gul Mohammad, 50; Sherdad, 40; Mohammad Ismail Khan, 52; Ejaz, Fazlur Rehman, 50; Qaimuddin, 35; Noor Khan, 40; Sher Zaman, 25; Sikandar, 56; Ghulam Abbas, 20; Shah Abdullah, 28; Mohammad Ashraf, Mursalin, 35; Mohammad Tariq, 30, while the identity of two guards could not be ascertained.

Talking to newsmen at JPMC, adviser to the chief minister on home affairs Aftab Ahmed Shaikh said that all the victims died on the spot.