THATTA, March 4: Two passengers were killed and 15 others injured, three of them critically, when a Karachi-bound bus plunged into a ditch adjacent to Dhoolha Darya Khan bridge on the River Indus on Sunday morning.

Eye-witnesses said the bus was carrying mainly devotees from Shah Yaqiq. The driver lost control of the vehicle which plunged into a 70-foot deep ditch which resulted in the instant death of Ms. Imamzadi, wife of Saman Shah 45, and Naved son of Lutif Ali Jakhro. Fifteen others, including the bus driver Hafiz Ishaque, were injured.

Three passengers, Ms.Basran, Ms. Rawla and Porho Meghwar who received serious injuries, were rushed to Karachi, while the remaining were admitted to the Civil Hospital Makli.

The District Nazim of Thatta, Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi, who reached immediately after the incident along with PML-Q MNA Ayaz Ali Shah Shirazi, monitored the rescue operation and announced a compensation of Rs25,000 to the heirs of dead and Rs10,000 to the injured.

An FIR has also been registered.