At least 20 people were killed and 20 injured when a bus bound for the flood-hit area of Khairpur Nathan Shah caught fire on the highway near Nooriabad on Wednesday evening, officials confirmed.
Police said the intercity bus was carrying more than 50 flood victims, who had sought temporary shelter in Karachi, returning to their homes in flood-hit Khairpur Nathan Shah.
The official added that while traveling on the M9 motorway near Noorabad, the bus caught fire near Jamshoro and Hyderabad.
Photographs taken from the scene by survivors and passers-by show the night sky lit up by the fire that spread across a small section of the highway leading to the bus.
After the incident, a fire brigade vehicle reached the spot. Police team also reached the spot.
The fire brigade brought the fire under control while the ambulances shifted the dead and injured to a nearby hospital.
Police say that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. He expressed fear that the casualties may increase.
Sindh Parliamentary Secretary for Health Qasim Soomro confirmed the death toll in the incident and said that at least 12 minors aged 15 and under were among the dead.
All the passengers in the bus belonged to the same village Khairpur Nathan Shah.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed his regret over the news and directed the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police of Jamshoro to mobilize emergency services to provide medical aid to the injured and provide all possible assistance to the families. .
He also sought an inquiry report on the matter.
Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also expressed regret over the incident. He called upon the authorities concerned to immediately direct an inquiry into the matter while directing the best possible care to be provided to the bereaved.
He also expressed grief over the death of five people in a traffic accident near Golrachi. At least two prominent Bhagat artists of Mithi, Bhagat Basar Mil and Bhagat Mathu Mil.
Inquiry Was Ordered.
Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Wednesday directed the secretary of the department to conduct an inquiry into the incident.
The secretary was asked to identify those responsible for the tragedy and complete the inquiry within three days and submit the report.
Memon said that most of the transporters were found to be negligent in following safety protocols properly. Therefore, he said the inquiry would also determine whether the bus had adequate safety mechanisms and was in proper working order.
