Khairpur tragedy: Swat’s travellers make final journey home
The remaining nine of 46 victims were from other parts of K-P.
MINGORA:
Remains of 46 victims were flown in from Sukkur to Risalpur, Nowshera on Wednesday morning; in the fractured spaces between all-consuming grief, some family members must have wondered: I never thought I would never see her again. Then again, not many see off their loved ones before a journey expecting to never see them again, just as none wait in fear the scheduled arrival of a friend or family member.
At least 59 passengers died in the horrific collision of a bus with a goods truck near Khairpur on Tuesday morning, stated a handout issued by the Swat administration office. The passenger bus had left Bahrain, Swat on Monday 5am and within 24 hours was involved in one of the deadliest crashes the area has seen; an opinion echoed by many, including the doctors at Khairpur Civil Hospital.
Of those who died, 46 were transported on a C-130 aircraft to Risalpur from where 37 were shifted to Swat.
One body was handed over to its legal heir at Risalpur, stated the press release. Three bodies were shifted to Battagram whereas another three were sent to Bajaur Agency. According to the press release, one body was shifted to Mardan, and another set of remains was shifted to Upper Dir.
Out of the Swat residents who perished in the accident, 18 were from Khawazakhela tehsil while 19 were from Bahrain tehsil. Children were also among the deceased.
Around 20 passengers who were injured in the road accident have also returned to Swat, including one seven-year-old girl with minor wounds. Three family members of the victims who had reached Khairpur upon hearing the news also returned with the remains.
Final homecoming
According to the press release, Pakistan Army cooperated with the district administration in orchestrating the rescue and recovery operation. The forces and the Sindh government helped arrange the C-130.
On the directives of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, 40 ambulances were arranged at Risalpur to transport the victims to Swat and other areas to their families.
Proper records were maintained regarding the hand over to families and security arrangements were made by local police and Pakistan Army to facilitate this process.
The deputy commissioner of Swat attended funerals of the deceased and offered condolences to bereaved families. He also pledged the government would provide them with relief and assistance, said the press release.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2014.
Remains of 46 victims were flown in from Sukkur to Risalpur, Nowshera on Wednesday morning; in the fractured spaces between all-consuming grief, some family members must have wondered: I never thought I would never see her again. Then again, not many see off their loved ones before a journey expecting to never see them again, just as none wait in fear the scheduled arrival of a friend or family member.
At least 59 passengers died in the horrific collision of a bus with a goods truck near Khairpur on Tuesday morning, stated a handout issued by the Swat administration office. The passenger bus had left Bahrain, Swat on Monday 5am and within 24 hours was involved in one of the deadliest crashes the area has seen; an opinion echoed by many, including the doctors at Khairpur Civil Hospital.
Of those who died, 46 were transported on a C-130 aircraft to Risalpur from where 37 were shifted to Swat.
One body was handed over to its legal heir at Risalpur, stated the press release. Three bodies were shifted to Battagram whereas another three were sent to Bajaur Agency. According to the press release, one body was shifted to Mardan, and another set of remains was shifted to Upper Dir.
Out of the Swat residents who perished in the accident, 18 were from Khawazakhela tehsil while 19 were from Bahrain tehsil. Children were also among the deceased.
Around 20 passengers who were injured in the road accident have also returned to Swat, including one seven-year-old girl with minor wounds. Three family members of the victims who had reached Khairpur upon hearing the news also returned with the remains.
Final homecoming
According to the press release, Pakistan Army cooperated with the district administration in orchestrating the rescue and recovery operation. The forces and the Sindh government helped arrange the C-130.
On the directives of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, 40 ambulances were arranged at Risalpur to transport the victims to Swat and other areas to their families.
Proper records were maintained regarding the hand over to families and security arrangements were made by local police and Pakistan Army to facilitate this process.
The deputy commissioner of Swat attended funerals of the deceased and offered condolences to bereaved families. He also pledged the government would provide them with relief and assistance, said the press release.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2014.