18 dead, 50 injured as pilgrims truck plunges into ravine near Hub

KARACHI: At least 18 people were killed and around 50 were injured in an accident occurred with a truck carrying pilgrims to Shah Noorani shrine near Hub area of Balochistan late on Eid-ul-Fitr night, ARY News reported. 

As per details, the truck carrying pilgrims was on its way to Shah Noorani shrine from Karachi when it fell into ravine.

“The road mishap has claimed 17 lives while the incident has left 40 injured, some of them critical,” Shahid Rind Spokesperson Balochistan government informed.

The bodies and injured were immediately brought to Karachi Trauma Centre for medicolegal proceedings and providing medical aid to the survivors.

Emergency has been declared in Jam Ghulam Qadir Hospital Hub Spokesman Balochistan Government said adding that the administration has reached the spot and launched relief activities.

The people in the truck are said to belong to the same area.

The truck was going to Shah Noorani from Karachi, Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said

The seriously injured are being shifted to Karachi, Shahid Rind further added.

Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives. He directed concerned officials to provide best health facilities to injured people.

On the directives of the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Secretary Health Balochistan is in contact with the Government of Sindh.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also visited the Civil Hospital’s Trauma Centre to meet with the injured passengers.

The CM also confirmed the 17 deaths, adding that at least 52 injured were brought to the hospital of which 40 have been discharged so far.

“Five injured in the Trauma Center are on ventilators. As long as the injured are on the vent, their health will be critical,” Murad Shah said.

CM added that two injured children are also under treatment at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH).