KARACHI:
At least 16 passengers died when a passenger bus caught fire at M-9 Motorway near Jamshoro on Wednesday, Express News reported.
According to rescue sources, the incident happened when the bus was travelling from Karachi to Khairpur Nathan Shah. The sudden fire immediately engulfed the vehicle.
They said that more than 50 per cent of the vehicle was burnt to ashes as a result of the fire. The passengers started jumping from the moving vehicle as the fire raged inside it.
The bus had 35 passengers including women and children out of which 10 died, according to SHO Nooriabad Hashim Brohi.
Later, the authorities confirmed that at least 16 people had died during the unfortunate incident. Out of 16, 12 were minors under the age of 15 while four others were adults.
He said that the number of injured during the incident was unknown as the rescue operation is still underway.
Meanwhile, Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon expressed his regret over the loss of precious lives during the incident.
He ordered the transport secretary to investigate the matter and said that a high-level committee should be formed for investigation and the responsible persons should be determined within three days.
Memon said that strict legal action will be taken against those who are found to be negligent, adding that many transporters have been found guilty of negligence in safety measures and action will also be taken against them as well.
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He said that the district administration in Jamshoro and the police have reached the spot and relief operations are underway, adding that an emergency has been declared in the hospitals to provide immediate medical facilities to the injured.
Sindh health department has arranged 30 beds at Burns Ward in Karachi, saying that they can arrange more if needed.
Parliamentary Secretary on Health Qasim Siraj Soomro told The Express Tribune that emergency services are available at Civil Hospital Hyderabad and Jamshoro.
“Our 7 ambulances are there to facilitate these patients if it’s required on medical grounds,” he added.
DHO Jamshoro informed that the victims were internally displaced persons (IDPs) settled somewhere near Super Highway from Khairpur Nathan Shah.