Family Tragedy on a Deteriorating Highway
The death toll from a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision on the M9 Motorway near Kathore has climbed to 14, rescue officials confirmed, as several of the injured succumbed to their wounds. In a devastating detail, relatives revealed that 12 of the deceased were members of a single family returning from a wedding celebration.
Sequence of a Catastrophe
According to the police First Information Report (FIR), the accident occurred around 3:40 PM on Friday when an oil tanker lost control, striking a trailer and another vehicle. In the ensuing chaos, a passenger bus traveling on the wrong side of the road overturned. The impact was so severe that several passengers were thrown from a bridge.
The FIR includes charges of culpable homicide and negligent driving. Police stated the oil tanker driver died instantly, while the drivers and occupants of other involved vehicles also perished.
Rescue and Response
Rescue personnel faced a grim scene, initially shifting 11 bodies to a mortuary in Sohrab Goth. The toll rose later as three more victims, including a three-year-old child identified as Imran, died during treatment. Five individuals remain hospitalized.
Sindh’s Inspector General of Police directed immediate site security to aid rescue and investigation. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed profound grief, offering condolences to the bereaved families and directing the Sindh government to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.
A Recurring Nightmare on Pakistan’s Roads
This tragedy underscores the perilous state of road safety in Pakistan, where fatal accidents are frequent due to a combination of disregarded traffic rules and poor infrastructure. The 136-km M9 Motorway connecting Karachi and Hyderabad is known to be in a serious state of disrepair, marred by bumps, cracks, and uneven patches that raise constant concerns for commuters.
Just earlier this month, three people died in a separate accident on the same motorway near Lunikot. The latest crash adds to a grim tally of lives lost on the nation’s highways.
