At least 13 were killed while 72 others sustained injuries when 12 vehicles collided into each other on the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway on Thursday, police officials said.

The vehicles involved in the accident include seven trucks, two coasters and two cars.

A convoy of the Tableeghi Jamaat was heading from Peshawar to Raiwind when 12 vehicles crashed into each other on the M2 motorway near Hafizabad due to heavy smog, according to DawnNews.

The injured have been transferred to Pindi Bhattian Hospital, Hafiz Ahmed, PRO of District Police Officer Sardar Gul told DawnNews.

He confirmed the deaths of 13 people and added that the death toll is expected to rise.

Six amongst the killed have been identified as residents of Nowshera.

It has emerged that due to heavy smog engulfing Punjab, sections of the motorway have been closed off.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed sadness over the incident and announced that the injured will get free treatment.