Four killed, many injured in multi vehicle pile-up in Punjab owing to dense fog

LAHORE: At least four people were killed and many others sustained injuries in a multiple vehicle collision on Chichawatni Road near Burewala city of Punjab on Thursday morning after dense fog blanketed plains of the province, causing poor visibility. 

Despite Punjab government’s steps to reduce local contribution to smog, heavy fog continues to affect life and road and air traffic across the province.

According to rescue sources, all dead and injured were shifted to a nearby hospital. However, their identification could not be ascertained immediately.

In a separate fog-related traffic accident, a woman was killed and three people were injured when an ambulance collided with a tractor trolley on Chishtian Road in Bahawalnagar.

The provincial government had imposed Section 144 in the province till December 16 to bar farmers from burning leftover crops, which believed to be one of the prime contributors to the smog problem in Punjab.

Punjab has been badly struck with foggy weather condition in recent years in beginning days of winter in the region.

The smog is caused by lack of rainfall and immense pollution. Smoke from vehicles, factories and burning of the remains of crops could be one of the major factors behind the dense smog in the province, experts said.

Analysts are of the opinion that a spell of heavy rains or strong winds could clear the hazy conditions in the province.