As many as nine members of the same family, among 10, were killed when a Sanghar-bound bus hit a rickshaw near Shahpur Chakar on Saturday, officials said.

SHO Shahpur Chakar police station Zulfikar Ali Pahi told Dawn that the accident took place in front of the Rural Health Centre of the town where policemen and locals shifted the bodies and the injured.

He said that the driver of the bus fled from the scene. A case over the incident is yet to be registered.

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According to the initial details available, the ill-fated family, hailing from Khadro town, was going to Shahpur Chakar to attend a family gathering in a motorcycle-rickshaw, locally known as a Qingqi rickshaw.

The bus ran over the rickshaw and dragged it for some distance. All onboard the rickshaw — five women, three children, two men of the family and the driver — were killed immediately.

The deceased were identified as Zubida, Sadia, Shabnam, Sorya, Aamir, Sagheer, Yasir, Naseem, Asia, and Alishiba — all belonging to the Khokhar community.

The bus also skidded off the road and, as a result, 22 passengers were injured. The injured were shifted to the Peoples Medical University Hospital, Nawab Shah where they were said to be stable.

The bodies of the deceased were shifted to Khadro town. The town wore a mourning look over the tragic incident.

Sanghar Deputy Commissioner Nisar Ahmad Memon visited Khadro town and attended the funeral prayers of the deceased. Later, while talking to the media, he said Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and sought a report over the tragedy.