KHUZDAR: At least three people were burnt to death and 12 were injured in a collision between a passenger coach and a motorcycle near Uthal, Lasbela, early on Thursday morning.

Officials said the coach carrying 28 passengers, including women and children, was on its way to Quetta from Karachi when the tragic incident occurred.

The vehicle collided with the motorcycle, which was reportedly transporting Iranian oil, in the Royaro area between Bela and Uthal on the Quetta-Karachi national highway.

At least 10 passengers saved their lives by jumping off the coach, but three, including the motorcyclist, were burnt to death.

The 12 injured also included women and children.

Lasbela SSP Naveed Alam said the fire was brought under control in the wee hours of Thursday, and all injured were shifted to the district hospital and later to Karachi for treatment.

SSP Alam also told Dawn.com that while the cause of the fire could not be ascertained, eyewitnesses attributed the accident to speeding and reckless driving.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti expressed grief over the accident and ordered an investigation into the cause of the accident.

“Rescue operations began immediately, and seven of the injured passengers were taken to the hospital,” read a statement posted on the official X account of the government of Balochistan.

“The accident, which was caused by overtaking and led to a loss of life.”

Iranian oil smuggled into Pakistan is often transported from Blaoch­istan’s border areas on vehicles, including motorbikes, cars and buses.

The movement of oil poses grave risks for vehicles and passengers and has also resulted in major catastrophes.

In January 2019, 27 people were killed when a bus collided with a truck loaded with oil drums and caught fire near Lasbela Cross.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Rushed legislation
Updated 06 Nov, 2024

Rushed legislation

For all its stress on "supremacy of parliament", the ruling coalition has wasted no opportunity to reiterate where its allegiances truly lie.
Jail reform policy
06 Nov, 2024

Jail reform policy

THE state is making a fresh attempt to improve conditions in Pakistan’s penitentiaries by developing a national...
BISP overhaul
06 Nov, 2024

BISP overhaul

IT has emerged that the spouses of over 28,500 Sindh government employees have been illicitly benefiting from BISP....
Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....