At least 58 killed in accident near Khairpur
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SUKKUR: At least 58 people, including women and children, were killed and several others injured on Tuesday morning following a collision between a passenger coach and a truck near Theri Bypass in Sindh's Khairpur area, police said.
Police official Ghulam Jhokhio told AP that after the accident the bus quickly caught fire as its fuel tank exploded.
However provincial health minister, Jam Mehtab, earlier told Dawn that no one had suffered burn-related injuries during the mishap.
"The fatalities included 21 women and 19 children, all below the age of 14," Medical Superintendent of Khairpur Civil Hospital M Jaffar Soomro said, warning that the death toll was likely to rise.
Soomro told Dawn that the condition of three wounded was critical and they had been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward.
The fatal accident occurred when the driver of the over-speeding coach, which was travelling from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Swat district to Karachi, tried to overtake a vehicle resulting in a head-on collision with a truck coming from the opposite direction, according to motorway police sources.
However police official Ghulam Jhokhio said that the accident could have been caused due to fog.
The coach, which was carrying around 70 passengers at the time of accident, overturned after hitting the truck.
Emergency and rescue teams reached the accident site and began shifting the victims to hospitals in Sukkur and Khairpur district.
An emergency was imposed at the Civil Hospital Sukkur and other nearby hospitals whereas the condition of several wounded was reported as critical.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan expressed condolences over the fatal mishap and ordered for the provision of treatment to the victims.
Road accidents are frequent in Pakistan and claim several lives annually due to poor roads, badly-maintained vehicles and reckless driving.
Nawaz expresses grief over Khairpur road tragedy
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed grief over Khairpur road tragedy and ordered the Sindh provincial government to provide best medical facilities to the injured.
A.D. Khawaja, district inspector general of Motorway police, said the driver was issued a challan at Ghotki for overcrowding the bus, adding that it travelled a distance of 100 kilometres when the accident took place.
Khawaja was talking to DawnNews and said that such incidents could be prevented if highways were constructed at par with international standards.
Bodies of 46 victims shifted to Risalpur
Dead bodies of 46 unfortunate victims of the road accident near Khairpur are being flown by a C-130 aircraft from Sukkur to Risalpur, said a statement issued by the ISPR.
These victims belong to Swat, Bajaur, Peshawar and surrounding areas.
“Army troops of Peshawar Corps are coordinating dispatch of bodies through ambulances till native places of the victims at Risalpur Base with the help of civil administration,” said the statement.
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On DawnNews
Comments (72) Closed
Nov 11, 2014 08:31am
Pakistan must need railway revival urgently. . .sad & tragic incident Rip :(
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Nov 11, 2014 08:46am
The government should seriously contemplate to do away with single carriageways, specially inter city roads. A lot of accidents have been reported already involving head-on collisions, whether due to overtaking or not turning properly on curves.
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Nov 11, 2014 08:52am
Are people given speeding tickets in Pakistan to prevent people from speeding?
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Nov 11, 2014 08:54am
Pakistan has worst road safety record and that too has reaching exponential proportions in the recent years. Where is motorway police responsible for enforcing highway traffic rules?
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Nov 11, 2014 08:58am
very painful. May their soul rest in peace. Govt. should bane use of intoxicant drugs for these drivers. These people usu drive in loud music and ecstasy and by taken opium.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:09am
Such a huge sad news. But, what is the role of media in these kinds of accidents. Is it just a typical few sentences mentioning the death toll (including women and children. Why is it necessary always to say including women and children in case of a road accident), informing that emergency has been implemented in the nearby hospitals, and some condolence messages from political leaders. That`s it.
Why cant they try to find out the real reason. It cant be over-speeding all the time. There can be dozens of other reasons which are resultant of negligence of authorities like traffic police, road encroachments, sudden and severe road damages having no signs, vehicle road worthiness, etc. This kind of investigative reporting can help prevent such accidents in future.
The news should also have some telephone numbers of the local hospitals and police stations so that people can check if in doubt of the presence of their beloved ones.
Wish our media can play the role in national causes which is its actual responsibilty
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Nov 11, 2014 09:11am
It is sickening to see so many killings in Pakistan every day.What is wrong? Is there no Govt? Is life so cheap that no one cares? Why does the media and the people not protest and rise in revolt? Merely hating India will not help.People must raise their voice.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:16am
So many people killed. How is it different from a terrorist Bombing?
Govt must do something to rein-in the unruly traffic.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:18am
We need to enforce strict road safety laws. The way most of these coaches are being driven, there is always an accident waiting to happen. The drivers don't realize that they are responsible for the lives of over a hundred people. This accident should get the same attention as an airplane crash.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:23am
Druged up and then dangerous driving leads to so many fetal accidents.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:25am
so many people die of road accidents in pakistan and yet our mentality is to curse america and blame others, instead should start caring for our own people and im sure our lives would become much easier.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:28am
The driver of the bus might be driving at a very high speed, that lead to death of 50 people. Traffic police need to catch the speedsters to avoid such accidents.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:37am
A tragedy. This is all too common on our roads nowadays. Stopping for a signal light is considered an embarrassment and is taken as a minus in terms of the skill of the driver.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:38am
انا لله وانا اليه راجعون
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Nov 11, 2014 09:50am
Very sad.
This is purely due to government's lack of interest as more than 2 years have now been passed, the government unable to complete the reconstruction of national highway.
I don't know how many such incidents will happen in future and when the government fell the responsibility.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:56am
When motor way police was introduced, lot of improvement was resulted on road, as they were keenly implementing the rules of driving but unfortunately after couple of years they also become part of the system . . and thing went as were previously.
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Nov 11, 2014 09:58am
What a tragic incident only because of the blunder mistake of the driver
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Nov 11, 2014 10:09am
Very Sad accident. May GOD bless
all the deceased. Long tiring journey and sleeplessness slower
Down the human reflexes and may be one of the reason of accident.
Our Lord save us from such fatalities We seek your merci.
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Nov 11, 2014 10:17am
This is one statistic where both India and Pakistan will get a standing ovation for the most dangerous roads or worst drivers. While Pakistan may beat India in terms of most fatality per vehicle on the road, 250000+ fatalities on Indian roads hands down beat the Pakistani statistics (30000+)
This is criminal negligence.
While not glorifying in anyway, there is more loss of life on roads than by extremists. But look where does the focus of our governments lie. I have lost family and friends due to road accidents and it hurts bad. Today too dozens of families have been destroyed. Would our leaders take a heed and guide the society to safer roads.
I do not think so.
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Nov 11, 2014 10:30am
Like terrorist attacks, these accidents keep on happening, seems there is no body to control anything!! This is so sad :(( poor families :'(
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Nov 11, 2014 10:31am
Government should start making plans to improve road safety by pushing road users with strict fines and start educating drivers about road safety.
infact dont make a plan, but atleast copy one from any developed country, which we are good at.
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Nov 11, 2014 10:55am
@Mudassar Siddiq nothing gonna happen even 100 more such mishaps occur.. don't waste your time,, our media is just chasing down the viewership.. they r not concerned with the welfare of the masses.. damn it
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Nov 11, 2014 10:55am
@V K Das
Sir, the road safety record of India is appalling too, probably much worse than Pakistan. Coming on Pakistani news sites to admonish them won't solve our problems. First we need to set our own house in order.
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Nov 11, 2014 10:55am
@V K Das
Sir, the road safety record of India is appalling too, probably much worse than Pakistan. Coming on Pakistani news sites to admonish them won't solve our problems. First we need to set our own house in order.
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Nov 11, 2014 10:59am
nothing gonna happen in this cursed country,, it is the culmination of Chaucer's Canter-berry Tales.. all dignitaries here are his damn characters..
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Nov 11, 2014 11:03am
sad news God keep safe us....but need good traffic system...
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Nov 11, 2014 11:04am
Inna lilahe wainna illae herageoun
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Nov 11, 2014 11:19am
@abbasi. Talking about the responsibility of the media in such cases, let me give you an example. Few years back I witnessed a similar accident on Khi hyderabad national highway near Dhabeji. The death toll was around 40 as I remember. The accident occurred just because the bus driver was coming against the one way because the other side of the road was not in a good condition. It was a huge criminal act by the driver and the authorities. I followed the news in electronic and print media for few days and nobody bothered to inform the actual reason i.e violating of the one way on Highway. And because nobody pointed out the real reason, the violation continued from the very net day onward for an other such mishap.
Media is supposed to be a watchdog on all the wrong doings for improvement point of view. But if they are focused on breaking the news first only, then they are not at all playing they required part.
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Nov 11, 2014 11:27am
Very sad authorities should change the procedures for issuing driving licences to these bus and lorry drivers. Every year we lose so many lives in road accidents RIP
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Nov 11, 2014 11:31am
We can only pray for these poor people, who lost their life's in this tragic accident and government should wake up now and do something or up grade transportation of the public and road networks, so we should be able to avoid these kind of accident in future.
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Nov 11, 2014 11:37am
Motorway Police is rarely seen on the National Highway because of Low Patrolling Budget and the result is increased number of accidents.
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Nov 11, 2014 11:57am
another day, another death.
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Nov 11, 2014 12:16pm
May God rest their soul in peace.
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Nov 11, 2014 12:18pm
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan expressed condolences over the fatal mishap and ordered for the provision of treatment to the victims.....lets a committee also to investigate and that's it
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Nov 11, 2014 12:20pm
@Mudassar Siddiq Our media is concerned about Bollywood, Dewali, and other social n cultural affairs.
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Nov 11, 2014 12:25pm
May Allah bless the souls and give patience to the families...national tragedy and a day of mourning but who cares in Pakistan.
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Nov 11, 2014 12:37pm
This bus company should never be allowed to do business again & must be made to pay a hefty fine to compensste victims families.
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Nov 11, 2014 12:39pm
This is result of reckless driving which I have personally witnessed as well as of bumpy roads.
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Nov 11, 2014 12:59pm
surely India is behind this too ;)
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Nov 11, 2014 01:05pm
Very sad and heartbreaking. May Allah recover the affected victims soon and forgive the dead.
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Nov 11, 2014 01:15pm
Road accidents are frequent in Pakistan and claim several lives annually due to poor roads, badly-maintained vehicles and reckless driving.
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Nov 11, 2014 01:16pm
Very sad....I have travelled on the highways in sindh....It is in terrible condition...no work is done for many years ....The difference is visibly noticed when u enter punjab...same amount of toll is being charged but no wonder where does the money go...There is hardly any highway police to monitor ..The blame goes to the sindh ministry for their continuous misuse of resources. ..let's not forget Thar!
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Nov 11, 2014 01:16pm
All these will be written in rulers account .. no system just corruption
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Nov 11, 2014 01:19pm
Why this highway is still a two way road.
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Nov 11, 2014 01:22pm
PM Nawaz should expedite construction of Motorways, railways networks and other infrastructure projects to replace the outdated one as it no longer meet the ever growing demand. Secondly people should learn to drive safely and patiently and keep their vehicles fit.
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Nov 11, 2014 01:26pm
In most of the South Asian countries drivers either don't have driving licences or they get the licence by paying bribe. No trainings no test.
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Nov 11, 2014 01:28pm
Accidents, Loot and plunder is very common on this road due to construction of road since long. Govt. need to complete its construction on faster pace so that fatal accidents can be avoided.
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Nov 11, 2014 01:48pm
Road accidents are frequent in Pakistan and claim several lives annually due to poor roads, badly-maintained vehicles and reckless driving.
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Nov 11, 2014 01:55pm
Rather than spending billions on metro bus projects, the government should have first improved the country wide road network by making them all as double carriageways.
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Nov 11, 2014 01:55pm
inna lilla hi wa inna ilayhi rajioon.
Need more motorways to avoid such accidents.
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Nov 11, 2014 03:00pm
@MAK The government should teach road safety, and train public vehicle drivers with strict licensing law. Roads do not kill, it's the driver who takes unnecessary risk.
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Nov 11, 2014 03:29pm
This is the most deadliest road accident of the year, claiming large number of lives. Most of the accidents occur due to reckless driving, and drivers not properly following driving rules and procedures. Provided the very high and frequent ratio of road accidents, the situation is calling for some immediate attention. While issuing and even renewing the driving licenses, drivers must undergo all the mandatory tests required for the purpose to ensure that they are both technically and mentally fit enough for driving.
Unfortunately, in majority of the cases the driving licenses are issued without proper tests, for which I personally witnessed plenty of such cases.
This thing must be attended to in order to avoid / reduce such fatal incidents on frequent basis.
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Nov 11, 2014 03:48pm
Last time I travelled in one of these busses, the driver and conductor were smoking hashish continuously during the journey. He was overspeeding and overtaking like a mad man. God bless Pakistan.
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Nov 11, 2014 03:55pm
@Aysha That's what they have challaned (Issued speeding ticket) driver before this accident
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Nov 11, 2014 03:58pm
Seatbelts anyone???
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Nov 11, 2014 04:00pm
@ayazali The accident happened near Khairpur which is between Nawabshah and Sukkur, it doesn't come under jurisdiction of motorway police because its not a motorway, its national highway so it came under jurisdiction of highway police :) I have been fined twice for over speeding on motorways.. just telling you the fact
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Nov 11, 2014 04:44pm
@Adam Bezar
you are better than us (india) in road accidents
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Nov 11, 2014 05:02pm
@bannkkiimooon This is actually the true story which unfortnetely tranport media with the support of govt. offical not allowing.
Railways system is the best solution at least for passengers
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Nov 11, 2014 05:25pm
@bannkkiimooon You are right with decline of railway as speedy transport. People are forced to use buses. There are no rules for them in Pakistan. There is a mafia in Pakistan working since 1990s PML-N government and wasting huge amount of PSDP on roads and their repairs every year.
Poor people continue to be killed this way in Pakistan as they are shown since long time that only roads are sign of prosperity.
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Nov 11, 2014 05:40pm
It Is Very Sad NEws Our Govt. Should Have To Make High Standard Roads Otherwise Same Sad News We Will Have TO Listen Daily
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Nov 11, 2014 06:12pm
The road was under construction, many zig-zag diversion and no cautionary signs at the road
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Nov 11, 2014 08:25pm
@Mudassar Siddiq very true. There could be the other reason of the vehicle having low quality CNG feul tank.....CNG feul tank wali buses are like mobile explosives....
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Nov 11, 2014 10:54pm
Isn't this our dashing Sindh Chief Minister's city ?..........or am I wrong.
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Nov 11, 2014 11:06pm
Surely sad news!!Govt must focus traffic roads fatalities and injuries and legislate handsome rules and concrete measures
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Nov 11, 2014 11:08pm
individual incidents are depiction of over all failure of the system.Why was this driver overspeeding?why do not drivers of such ilk drive rashly on motorways?The answer is quite outright,he would be punished on motorway (for violation) while go scott-free on other highways.As far as poor condition of vehicles is concerned,its again due to maladministration and bribery as you can comfortably receive fitness certificate by bribery even without getting your vehicle checked.
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Nov 11, 2014 11:40pm
It is shocking to see, such a devastating accident taking place every day in Pakistan. And innocent people get killed every day.Pakistani people need to be educated ' about driving and safety.and the drivers who over speed or break the law ,by driving recklessly should be punished accordingly
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Nov 11, 2014 11:55pm
It's a common observation that most bus drivers over speed, endangering lives of passengers as well as people around. negligence on part of bus drivers shouldn't be treated as an ordinary traffic violation and should be dealt strictly.
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Nov 12, 2014 01:43am
This is so heart wrenching,I pray for the souls of the deceased as well as hope that the injured are treated promptly.I also pray that no more fatalities occur.AMEEN
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Nov 12, 2014 02:59am
This was useless loss of lot of lives. I think that drivers in the Pakistan can not ride a bike only. They are hired to kill the poor people of the Pakistan.
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Nov 12, 2014 03:51am
"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed grief over Khairpur road tragedy and ordered the Sindh provincial government to provide best medical facilities to the injured"
"Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan expressed condolences over the fatal mishap and ordered for the provision of treatment to the victims".
Is that why we elect these people?
This is called fill in the blank, this mean nothing, this should have provoked the PRIME MINISTER to order a formulation of an emergency committee to look into improving and executing traffic safety mecahanism in Pakistan. Prime minister statement is like putting a band aid on a patient who has severe injuries.
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Nov 12, 2014 06:15am
I thought transport minister was stubborn selfish and immoral like many Pakistanis and Indians(not all) but he proved he is a human being not an animal by taking responsibility and resigning. I guess it happened right ?
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Nov 12, 2014 06:59am
Shockingly similar to the happenings in India. Our countries may claim differences but are evenly matched in our incompetencies and failures to rectify obvious faults. It is same story overloaded buses,overworked drivers,bad roads,killed children and women and crocodile tear shedding leaders.
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