20 dead, seven injured in truck-van crash in Khairpur

KHAIRPUR: At least 20 people were killed and seven others injured when a coal-laden truck collided with a passenger van on Shah Hussain bypass near Waris Goth in Khairpur district, ARY News reported on Monday.

According to initial reports, the truck was overtaking the passenger van when it lost control and turned over on the van.

The ill-fated van was en route to Sukkur from Khairpur when it met the deadly accident.

Soon after the mishap, the rescue teams reached the accident site and started rescue operations. All dead and injured were shifted Civil Hospital Khairpur.

“The condition of all seven injured is stable and out of danger”, Dr Ghulam Soomro informed the media after two more injured succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

Earlier, the police and rescue officials said the death toll could rise as the condition of some injured was said to be serious.

The identities of dead and injured could not be ascertained immediately.

In light of initial investigation, the police informed media that the coal-laden truck was on its way to Punjab from Karachi.

According to figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), around 4500 people die every year due to poor enforcement of safety laws by traffic police.