Rescuers use excavators to pull a tractor-trailer from a passenger bus after an accident in Sukkur. PHOTO: AFP
Police said that 17 people were also wounded when the coach collided with the tractor pulling a trolley.
According to the police, the coach was travelling from Dera Ghazi Khan to Karachi.
The dead included 14 children and 13 women, they said.
Fida Hussain Shah, a senior police officer in Sukkur who gave the casualty figure, said the bus driver was killed on the spot while the driver of the tractor-trolley was wounded.
Police said the cause of the accident was yet not clear. Tractor-trolleys are a common form of transportation in rural areas.
All the dead and injured were riding in the bus, apart from the tractor driver.
Sharjeel Kharal, another senior police official, confirmed the incident.
Most of the injured were in critical condition and many were transferred to hospital in Karachi after initial treatment in Sukkur.
Among the dead were six members of a ten-person family travelling in the bus. Two more family members were injured while two were unhurt - Maryam Bibi, 18 and her six-year-old brother Samad.
"We were ten members of one family, six of them died and two were injured," a weeping Bibi said as she recounted the accident.
The family was travelling to visit other relatives in Karachi, she said.
Police and rescue teams reached the site of the accident soon after the incident.
Pakistan has one of the world’s worst records for fatal traffic accidents, blamed on poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.
COMMENTS (15)
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I see a spiritual connection here
Having driven on these roads, i have found the bus drivers to be the worst. They drive at high speeds and dangerously overtake the oncoming lane. Stricter police enforcement is needed. Judging from the vehicles involved, It is clear to assume that the tractor could not be travelling at high speeds as it does not possess the capability. The only way the bus can collide with the tractor is when its travelling at high speeds and the driver lost control. My condolences to the families.
what was the Tractor looking for on highway?
Rex Minor
One journalist injuries are more important for the whole media and channels then those innocent people who are in 42 in no and lost their lives we don't even know their location, ages, names etc. Media is so biased between influential and common Pakistanis.Rest in peace poor people!
This is very sad and accidents like there are becoming more widespread. Traffic laws need to be enforced in areas like these while bus drivers should be obligated to undergo special training.
Also, comment-ors why are you comparing this with Hamid Mir's incident. The two are completely unrelated' while this was an accident and all the facts are in front of us, Mir's assassination attempt was done on purpose and a judicial probe is definitely required. So please make sensible and reasonable comments, and stop hating.
42 people died and an injured hamid Mir is more important to news channels
....and the Sindh Police put blame on badly maintained roads, dilapidated buses conditions, bad trained public vehicle drivers, reckless public vehicle driving...Excellent. The conditions of roads in Karachi inner city, Site Area, Clifton, Lalukhet flyovers, Sharah E Faisal merger from DHA, need to be repaired and gutter reconstructed. God, help us Now. Why not train again All Public Vehicle Drivers on Safe Public Driving Courses. Can we do that?
I think more people are killed in road accidents than terrorism in Pakistan. We (sometimes wrongly) blame international conspirators for terrorism, but who is conspiring against us in implementing road safety laws and related regulations? I guess its time for some serious action! At least save lives of Pakistanis where we can!
RIP It is better to be late than never. Always remember that some one is waiting for you.
Motorway police should be made responsible, they are not patrolling properly in spite of taking hefty salaries.
Whole media talking about one journalist injuries, no one care for these 40 dead people. Wow what a difference in powerful Journalist and humans in Pakistan.
When will they start driving safe???
42 people died here and hardly anyone cares. Everyone is busy with the victimization of 1 individual.
prime minister must give attention on this accident instead of hamid mir attack
Inna Lillahe WA Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon. Ameen. Obviously, this is a case of rash and negligent driving. In a rush to reach the destination and earn kudos from the boss.......BOOM!!! Innocent families smitten to pieces and destroyed. Additionally, the nefarious Sindh Government could not care a hoot to administer new laws, implement and manage. Salams