SUKKUR: Eleven people were killed and 10 others were injured after a passenger bus collided with a trailer on a section of the National Highway near Tando Masti in Khairpur in the small hours of Sunday morning, police said.

They said that the bus was traveling from Bahawalpur to Karachi when its brakes failed and it crashed into the trailer loaded with iron girders and rods.

The motorway and district police, with the help of rescue teams and local residents, shifted the bodies and the injured to the Khairpur Civil Hospital and Gambat Institute of Medical Science (GIMS).

The motorway police said in a statement that the accident occurred due to “negligence and recklessness on the bus driver’s part”.

The deceased have been identified as bus driver Gul Shah, cleaner Hashim, passengers Akbar Siyal, his wife Sajida and their young son Abdul Samad. Other victims are Shakir Ali, Muhammad Ramazan, 25, Viranda Bibi, Muhammad Asif, Kashif Ali and Bisma.

The police said that the victims were residents of various areas in Punjab, including Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Uch Sharif.

After completion of the medico-legal formalities at Civil Hospital Khairpur, Edhi ambulances transported the bodies to their respective hometowns.

The Tando Masti police said the trailer driver managed to escape, leaving behind the heavy vehicle which was impounded.

Inspector General of National Highways & Motorway Police Sultan Ahmed Chaudhry visited the accident site and ordered a comprehensive and transparent inquiry into the incident and directed strict legal action against those responsible.

The IG further stated that all possible measures are being taken to reduce traffic accidents.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2026