DERA GHAZI KHAN, May 25: At least 13 people were killed and nine others sustained injuries on Saturday when a Karachi-bound coach collided head-on with a wagon near Taunsa Sharif, on Indus Highway, some 65km from here.

Reports said a coach (C-1313) was on its way to Karachi when it collided with a wagon (MNY-7164), coming from Multan, near Sanjar Saidan Basti on the Indus Highway at 5pm.

Ten people died on the spot while three breathed their last on their way to the nearest hospital. Those who died included Mohammad Ayub Sikhani and Bashir Ahmad of Taunsa Sharif, Hafiz Mohammad Sharif of Buzdar Basti, Mrs Ajmal of Layyah, Mumtaz Ahmad and Nazeer Ahmad of Sokar, Ghulam Yasin and Ashiq Husain of Kot Addu and Saleemullah Qaisrani of Bajha Tribal Area. The identity of other deceased could not be ascertained.

The police reached the spot after sometime and took the injured to hospitals. Four of the injured were taken to local tehsil and headquarters hospitals while five were admitted to the Nishtar Hospital, Multan, in critical condition.

Five of the injured were identified as Ghulam Yasin Qaisrani, Khalil Ahmad, Dur Mohammad, Mohammad Imran and Faiz Naeem.

Taunsa police have registered a case against the absconding driver.