27 fatalities: JIT formed to probe into Lasbela accident

Home minister says those responsible for the tragedy will be brought to justice

QUETTA: Provincial Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Ziaullah Langove on Tuesday formed an inquiry committee to probe into Monday’s tragic accident in which 27 passengers were burnt to death after a passenger coach collided with a truck near Bela Cross.
The committee has been directed to review all aspects of the gruesome incident and identify the ones responsible for showing negligence which led to one of the country’s deadliest accidents.
The committee, headed by Kalat division commissioner, Khuzdar Range DIG police, Lasbela deputy commissioner and SSP, will submit its report to the provincial government within seven days and the recommendations will be sent to the Balochistan chief minister for taking preventive measures over such incidents.



“The provincial government has constituted a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe into the Bela accident and the home secretary has been directed to determine all the aspects of this tragic incident,” said Langove, adding that the ones responsible for the Bela accident would be brought to justice.
Vowing strict action against culprits involved in diesel smuggling, Langove said, “The government has decided to take decisive action against illegal diesel smuggling in passenger coaches.”
The home minister announced free medical treatment for all of the injured.
At least 27 people, including women and children, were burnt to death and 16 were injured after a Karachi-Panjgur-bound passenger coach collided with a truck at Bela Cross. The collision ignited flames which engulfed the entire passenger coach.

Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Asad Baloch along with heirs of the deceased shifted all of the bodies to Panjgur. The welfare minister said, “Following the will of the heirs we have decided to bury the bodies without conducting a DNA test.
“Indeed it was an accident; therefore, we have decided not to go for DNA of the bodies because it will take weeks and will probably cause more pain to the families.”
Asad said, “The government has announced Rs10 million for deceased and Rs5 million for the injured.”
To a query regarding possibility of diesel smuggling in passenger coaches, Asad said, “Initially, we didn’t find any clue that the passenger coach was carrying diesel but the government has formed a JIT that will investigate all aspects of the deadly accident.”