HYDERABAD, Feb 1: Five passengers were killed and 31 othes, including women and children, were amongst the injured when a bus collided head-on with a trailer on National Highway near Hala on Friday.

Survivors told Hala police that the passengers were members of two families. They were from South Waziristan Agency and were going to Karachi because of the clashes taking place in the agency.

The deceased were identified as Samiullah, 7, son of Muqabil Khan; Khaleem Khan, 70, son of Saleem Khan; Khawa Bibi, 15, daughter of Khan Mohammad; Sher Badhshah Khan and bus drive Jumo Khan, according to police and hospital officials.

The driver was resident of Dera Ismail Khan. His body was sent to his native area by Edhi volunteers who also took the injured to the Hyderabad Civil Hospital.

The bodies of other deceased were handed over to their heirs who will bury them in Sohrab Goth, Karachi.

The accident occurred near the Bhambhro turn in the Hala area. The re-carpeting of this section of the highway has been going on for over one week.

The driver of the trailer escaped, leaving his vehicle behind which was impounded by police. No FIR was registered till the filing of this report.