Bus-truck crash in Pakistan's Punjab kills 11, injures 33

A passenger bus collided with an oncoming truck in Pakpattan district, Punjab, on the night of Nov. 5, killing 11 people and injuring 33. Rescue officials said all 11 victims died at the scene; the dead include a patrolling police officer and a member of the Para Force.

Bus overturned; rescue took three hours

The crash happened on Depalpur Road near the 17 SP stop. According to Rescue 1122, a bus travelling from Multan to Kasur collided head-on with a 10-wheel trailer loaded with potatoes; the bus overturned, trapping passengers inside, and rescue teams used cranes for about three hours to free them. Twenty-five injured people were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Pakpattan and eight with minor injuries were treated and released; five critically injured patients were referred to Sahiwal, and 14 women were among the injured. An emergency was declared at the district hospital.

Two uniformed personnel among the dead; cause unknown

The Express Tribune reported that the dead include patrolling police officer Ali Hasnain and Para Force member Zahid Imam. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has sought a report on the crash and directed the district administration to provide medical treatment to the injured. Neither Rescue 1122 nor the district administration has said what caused the collision, and an investigation is under way.

(Sources: Rescue 1122; Dawn; Express Tribune; Aaj News.)