10 killed, 20 injured as bus collides with trailer at motorway in Khanewal

KHANEWAL: At least 10 people killed and 20 others were injured when a passenger bus collided with a trailer in Khanewal on M4 motorway due to low visibility caused by dense smog having engulfed various parts of Punjab, on Thursday morning.

According to rescue officials, the passenger bus was en-route to Rajanpur from Lahore when it collided with the trailer. Around 40 passengers were on board in the bus at time of the accident, rescue officials further said.

All dead and injured were shifted to nearby hospitals. However, their identities could not be established immediately.

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

Punjab has been badly struck with such weather conditions in recent years in beginning days of winter in the region. The prevalent smog episode is similar to the one that struck the province last year, an expert said.

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

The motorway police had earlier closed several sections of motorway due to poor visibility caused by dense smog and fog.