MUZAFFARGARH: Eight members of family were killed and five others suffered serious injuries when a passenger van collided with a truck here on Thursday near Chobara Tehsil Adda Hafizabad in Layyah district, some 35 kilometres away from the city.

Reports said a van carrying passengers was en route from Bhakkar to Mian Channu. As it reached near Adda Hafizabad, its tie rod broke down, leading to a collision with a truck. As a result eight people were killed on the spot, while six others sustained serious injuries. Rescue officials and locals provided aid and rescued the injured who were later shifted to the district headquarters hospital for treatment.

Layyah District Police Officer Asadur Rehman said victims belonged to Bhakkar district and were members of the same family.

He visited the hospital to inquire after the injured passengers, assuring them of best possible treatment.

Layyah Deputy Commissioner Khalid Parvaiz declared a state of emergency in the hospitals of Tehsil Chobara and DHQ, directing the provision of best possible treatment. Locals donated blood to the injured and later the district administration facilitated the transportation of the deceased to the Bhakkar district.

The family members were on way to attend a Qul Khwani in Mian Channu when they met with the accident. The deceased have been identified as Muhammad Sardar, Nawaz, Qasim, Ghazi Khan, Alam Sher, Haji Muhammad, Asad, and Allah Ditta. The injured are Kazim Hussain, Ghulam Shabbir, Arshad, Haji Mohammed and Safdar Khan.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2023