Seven killed due to reduced visibility

MULTAN:

As many as seven people died and 135 others were injured in various fog-related accidents in south Punjab over the weekend.

A Rescue 1122 spokesman said three major accidents were reported in Sahiwal, Alipur and Rajanpur.

Late on Saturday night, a bus and a truck collided near Head Panjnad in Alipur due to dense fog. Three passengers died on the spot and 41 were injured.

In another accident on the Indus Highway in Rajanpur, a bus overturned while taking a turn.

The bus, which had departed from Islamabad, was going to Karachi.

Rescue 1122 officials said a passenger died on the way to hospital. They said 23 others were injured.

They said the third accident occurred near in Sahiwal where a car was hit by a bus.

They said two people died and 27 others were injured.

In Multan, five cars were involved in a pileup near Head Muhammadwala, leaving 15 people injured.

Rescue 1122 officials said 18 people were injured in various accidents in Pakpattan and Layyah.

They said 92 accidents were reported over the weekend.

They said all flights and trains had been cancelled.

A flight from Madina to Multan was diverted to Karachi on account of poor visibility at 10 pm on Saturday night.

Motorway police said they had restricted movement of heavy vehicles on the National Highway connecting Multan to Lahore.

Met Department officials said foggy conditions would continue for nearly five days. Citizens have been urged to postpone travel plans.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2014.