Six die, 20 injured in DG Khan road crash

Police say victims were on their way to attend urs of Darbar Zinda Pir

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Six people died while 20 others suffered injuries when a vehicle fell into a ditch in Dera Ghazi Khan on Friday.

According to the police, more than 35 people, including children were on their way to Darbar Zinda Pir to perform a religious ritual when the vehicle they were travelling in fell into a ditch near a cement factory. As a result, six people lost their lives while 20 others were injured.

On getting information, Rescue 1122, Border Military Police and other rescue teams reached the spot and started rescue operation immediately.

A police official told The Express Tribune that the accident occurred when the driver lost control over the vehicle due to speeding.



Deputy Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Mian Mohammad Iqbal Mazhar also reached the spot. He sent a  recommendation letter to the Punjab government for providing financial assistance of Rs500,000 to each family of the deceased.

The deputy commissioner also directed officials to start an ambulance service and to set up medical camps during Urs of Darbar Zinda Pir. He monitored the shifting of the injured to the Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan and the rescue operation.

District Emergency Officer Dr Natiq Hayat Gilzai, Emergency Officer Dr Hussain Mian and others were present on the occasion.

The deputy commissioner visited Dera Ghazi Khan Teaching Hospital and inquired about the health of injured and reviewed the medical facilities being provided to the victims.

District Emergency Officer 1122 Dr Natiq Hayat confirmed that 20 victims have been shifted to the hospital and they are being provided proper treatment.

Two die of suffocation

In Bhakkar, a woman and a son died of suffocation while her daughter fell unconscious when gas accumulated in their room.

Police said that 80-year-old Mariam Bibi, her 38-year-old son Mohammad Javed and 55-year-old daughter Safeel Bibi, residents of Syed Wala area of Kalur Kot tehsil, had burnt coal in a fireplace to keep the room warm and went to sleep.



In the morning when the family didn't wake up, some neighbours knocked on the door but became worried when they didn't get any response.

Later, they broke the door and found Mariam and Javed dead while Safeel was found in an unconscious condition. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where her condition is stated to be critical.

Police reached the site and handed over the bodies to their relatives after completing initial legal formalities.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2019.