19 school children killed in van-truck collision in Nawabshah
Total death toll is 21 while at least 13 others sustained injuries.
A screengrab showing one of the injured students.
NAWABSHAH:
Twenty-two people, including 19 school children, died while at least 13 others sustained injuries in a road accident in Nawabshah, Express News reported on Wednesday.
The school children were in a van which collided with a truck on Qazi Ahmed Road. The driver of the truck was arrested after the accident.
"It was a head-on collision when the truck slammed into the school van on a single track dirt road. Apparently, speeding and recklessness resulted in the accident," Abdul Rahim Gopang, a police officer, said over the phone to Reuters.
"All our dreams have been shattered. How can I live without my child," a weeping Muhammad Akram, who lost his only son in the accident, said by telephone from the hospital.
The injured were shifted to PMC hospital where emergency was declared after the incident. The hospital administration has requested for blood donation.
Three of the children are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and, according to the hospital staff, if their condition does not approve they will be taken to Karachi for treatment.
The total number of students on board is not known as yet.
According to initial details, the students were leaving Nawabshah to attend a sports competition in another city. The children were 10 to 15 years old.
A few injured students are reportedly in critical condition.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairperson Imran Khan and Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain expressed grief over the loss of lives.
Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan has asked for a report into the accident from IG Sindh.
Multan
In a separate traffic accident in Multan, a collision between a truck and rickshaw left 13 schoolchildren injured.
Six of these children, as well as the rickshaw driver, are critically injured. The driver of the truck has absconded.
Twenty-two people, including 19 school children, died while at least 13 others sustained injuries in a road accident in Nawabshah, Express News reported on Wednesday.
The school children were in a van which collided with a truck on Qazi Ahmed Road. The driver of the truck was arrested after the accident.
"It was a head-on collision when the truck slammed into the school van on a single track dirt road. Apparently, speeding and recklessness resulted in the accident," Abdul Rahim Gopang, a police officer, said over the phone to Reuters.
"All our dreams have been shattered. How can I live without my child," a weeping Muhammad Akram, who lost his only son in the accident, said by telephone from the hospital.
The injured were shifted to PMC hospital where emergency was declared after the incident. The hospital administration has requested for blood donation.
Three of the children are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and, according to the hospital staff, if their condition does not approve they will be taken to Karachi for treatment.
The total number of students on board is not known as yet.
According to initial details, the students were leaving Nawabshah to attend a sports competition in another city. The children were 10 to 15 years old.
A few injured students are reportedly in critical condition.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairperson Imran Khan and Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain expressed grief over the loss of lives.
Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan has asked for a report into the accident from IG Sindh.
Multan
In a separate traffic accident in Multan, a collision between a truck and rickshaw left 13 schoolchildren injured.
Six of these children, as well as the rickshaw driver, are critically injured. The driver of the truck has absconded.