BAHWALPUR: Heavy smog caused multiple road accidents across Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Vehari, Narowal and Toba Tek Singh on Saturday, leaving six people dead and several other injured.

The hazardous conditions led to reduced visibility on highways and rural roads.

In Yazman, Ahmed Hussain (25) from Ghotki was killed and Ali Murtaza injured when a vehicle struck their motorcycle near Mirana Adda.

In a separate incident, a Karachi-to-Haroonabad bus collided with a rickshaw at Noorpur Noranga, leaving four injured.

Two others sustained injuries when two trailers collided on Bahawalpur-Ahmedpur East highway.

On Lodhran-Dunyapur Road in Lodhran, motorcyclist Muhammad Ramzan (48) was killed under the wheels of a trailer.

Rescuers confirmed that low visibility from smog contributed to the accident and killed the helmet wearing motorcycle ride.

Another speeding car struck two labourers near Adda Jaalwala, killing Abdul Rehman (50) and critically injuring Muhammad Mohsin (30), who was taken to DHQ hospital.

Police have arrested the car driver involved in the incident.

In Burewala, a head-on collision between an oil tanker and a dumper truck killed tanker driver Muhammad Saifullah (50) and severely injured Muhammad Faisal (35) and Zohaib (32). Smog is cited as a contributing factor.

Bahawal Victoria Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Aamir Mahmood Bokhari told Dawn that besides the opening of a dedicated smog counter at the emergency ward, a five-bed smog ward has been established to provide quick treatment to the patients suffering from smog-related complications.

NAROWAL: A passenger coaster collided with a stationary mini truck near Kala Shah Kaku in Sheikhupura district and left nine passengers injured, including Ghulam Rasool (38) and Muhammad Irfan (65). Rescue 1122 provided first aid.

The critically injured patients were moved to Government Hospital in Muredke, where three passengers are reported in a critical condition.

TOBA TEK SINGH: A road incident near Chak 354-JB, Qadirabad, claimed the lives of Tayyab Hussain (18) and his mother Ishrat Bibi (45), while his sister Anam Bibi (22) was critically injured when their motorcycle collided with a parked tractor-trolley due to low visibility. Anam was referred to Faisalabad’s Allied Hospital.

Also, on Jhang Road in Gojra, a motorcycle rickshaw collided with a mini-van, injuring four passengers from Jhang district.

Medical teams across affected areas have been on high alert, with Bahawal Victoria Hospital in Bahawalpur setting up a dedicated smog counter and a special five-bed ward for smog-related cases.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2024