Rescue workers, officials and locals gather at the site of a suspected collision on the RCD Highway near Gadani. PHOTO: PPI
The accident took place in the Gadani area of Lasbela district and the injured were taken to hospitals in Hub as well as Karachi for medical assistance.
Women and children were among the deceased. Eidhi officials said that the incident occurred 12km away from Gadani Morh.
One coach was on its way to Karachi from Quetta while the other was going to Karachi from Turbat.
After the collision, the vehicles had caught fire and were completely destroyed.
Deputy Commissioner Amir Sultan confirmed the death toll and said the number of the people killed may rise as most of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition.
“I do not think anyone escaped or is alive on the Turbat-Karachi bound bus,” he added.
The passenger bus was allegedly carrying illegal Iranian diesel and the collision with a truck lead to a huge explosion.
“Government of Balochistan will investigate the incident,” stated spokesperson of the Balochistan government Jan Mohammed Buledi, adding that the government will compensate the grieving families.
“The passenger bus tried to overtake a vehicle and collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction. There was a huge explosion after the collision as the bus was carrying oil,” District Police Officer (DPO) Ahmed Nawaz Cheema told The Express Tribune.
Cheema added that at the same time another passenger bus coming to Karachi from Quetta collided with another truck at the same place, leaving two people dead.
The Turbat-Karachi bound bus was being driven by the conductor when the accident occurred, Express News reported. The coach driver was asleep in the back at that time, a doctor at the Civil Hospital in Karachi said.
Rescue operation is underway and none of the deceased have been identified as of yet. DNA samples will be sent to Islamabad for identification.
“The incident took place around 5 am. Rescue workers, police and fire tenders reached the scene soon,” said a rescue worker.
Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Malik Baloch ordered an inquiry into the incident. “It is a tragic incident and I extend my grief and sorrow with the grieving families,” he stated.
COMMENTS (19)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
If we have a highway police authority in Sindh and Balochistan............it should be disbanded immediately.
@haahaa:
r u being sarcastic or ? bcz PTI - IK govt not in Baluchistan & surely not for the past 3 decades ?
Last month I had been to India. All of their inter state roads are pretty wide and multi laned. If at all our govt officials were serious enough this tragedy could have been averted. RIP
Sad
RIP
Its because of PTI and IK...why they did not do any thing when they were in government since 3 decades..
radar should be instal to monitor the speed limit on the highway like the civilized countries...carrying illegal Iranian diesel and petrol should be checked...now the question who will do? official from lower to higher up corrupt
Travelling in Turbat to Karachi coach is like travelling in an oil tanker. It had to happen. Roof top, luggage compartments and under the seats are totally packed with Irani smuggled fuel, which is transported to Karachi. Not only this coach but every coach coming from Turbat to Karachi is packed of Irani fuel. I am a frequent traveler of this route. It is in knowledge of all concerned authorities and everyone is getting his share.
"According to reports, there was Iranian petrol in one of the coaches". ???Iranian petrol causes accidents. Come on, get real. Next will be RAW petrol or CIA gasoline.
Please also report how many authorities have been called for explanations for lack of safety measures and how many got suspended. We saw some police-men got suspended when an ugly event took place in a palace in Raiwind.
So sad. Speeding,un-safe vehicles,drivers without licence and bad road conditions are all responsible for these acciedents
The intensity and trends in road accident shows the deficiency in road traffic control, human errors due to ignoring and undermining of rules, irresponsibility of traffic police and lack of Govt. interest in public safety and services. Public safety and security is the prime responsibility of Govt. and related institutions.
Very Sad Incident..
:(
Inna Lillahe WA Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon. Ameen. These innocent people would still be smiling if the 'give a damn' government officials had paid scant attention to the rules. BUT NO. WHO CARES. NO ACCOUNTABILITY. The minister and his sycophants, bus owner, driver, and conductors should be summarily tried and shot for negligence in the rules and driving. Salams
Indeed a sad news, RIP.
ET needs to launch a weekly column on Road safety +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Its a matter of life and death.
There is almost a daily report of such gruesome accidents. There was even an accident in the PMs motorcade. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Structural steps need to be taken to stop them; control of vehicle maintenance, building and testing of driving skill and discipline on road including speed limits. 15 Dead should open every ones eyes...it could be anyone next.