KHUZDAR: A head-on collision involving a passenger coach and two pickups on the Quetta-Karachi national highway killed at least nine people, including police personnel, and left eight others injured on Friday, according to officials.

The accident took place near Uthal in the Lasbela district.

Police said the passenger coach was en route from Karachi to Quetta when it collided with the two pickups travelling from Karachi towards Khuzdar.

Rescue workers and police swiftly arrived at the scene, transporting the deceased and injured to nearby hospitals. In critical condition, two of the injured were later moved to Karachi.

Among the victims, Shakoor Ahmed, the coach driver, Abdul Ghafoor, the pickup driver, along with Shakeel Ahmed and Muhammad Hanif have been identified.

The injured include Umeed Ali, Muhammad Saeed, Muhammad Younis, Abdullah, Muhammad Ansa, Abdullah, son of Abdul Hameed, and Muhammad Yaseen.

The Balochistan government expressed its condolences over the loss of life.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2025