Valima bus rams into height barrier, 7 killed

Several people were injured when the barrier collapsed on top of the bus.

KARACHI: At least seven people including women and children were killed and several others were wounded in a road mishap when a speeding bus carrying wedding guests rammed into a concrete height barrier which then collapsed on to the bus in Korangi bus late on Saturday night.

The private contract bus, which was carrying over 35 guests at the time, was headed to Liaquatabad from Korangi number 2 ½ . The driver opted to take the EBM Causeway, on which the entry of heavy vehicles such as the bus are prohibited, enforced through concrete height barriers.

It took almost 30 minutes to evacuate victims from the damaged vehicle as the front side of the bus was completely damaged and buried under concrete. Following the incident, law enforcers and volunteers from the various welfare associations reached the spot. Heavy machinery was also requested to aid rescue efforts.

The dead and injured were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for treatment.

The medico-legal section of JPMC confirmed that four women, two children and a man were among the dead. About a dozen people who had been injured were receiving treatment.

Deputy Commissioner East Jan Mohammad Qazi arrived at the site to inspect rescue efforts. He told the gathered media “No heavy traffic is allowed in causeway, ”adding, “the driver is responsible for the accident.”

According to witness accounts, the accident took place when the bus driver did not realise the restriction on Causeway road where the vehicles taller than eight-feet height are not allowed.

Police officials said that the heavy concrete pillar was constructed to stop vehicles taller than the permitted height. They said that this was the first such incident since causeway had been constructed construction.

SHO Malik Ayub though felt that said that low-visibility of the barrier may have contributed to the crash. The causeway lacks street lights, while much of the approach route is devoid of reflectors and furniture.

The police will be registering a case but after all legal formalities are completed, the officer added.