Six people lost their lives and seven others sustained injuries after a passenger bus caught fire following a collision with a loader rickshaw carrying petrol on Quetta’s Western Bypass, according to police.
Deadly road accidents are a frequent occurrence on Pakistan’s highways, often due to overspeeding, reckless overtaking, and violation of traffic laws.
According to Shalkot Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Athar Rashid, five of the deceased were passengers on the bus, while seven others were injured. He noted that the bodies of the victims were severely burned and had become unrecognisable.
The injured were transported to Bolan Medical Complex and Civil Hospital, with two reported to be in critical condition. The bus was traveling from Nawan area to Hazarganji when it collided with the petrol-laden rickshaw in the Raisani area, resulting in a fire.
In an official statement, a provincial government spokesperson expressed sorrow over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the victims. He assured that the injured were receiving the best possible medical treatment and that all necessary support would be provided to the affected families. An investigation into the incident has been launched, and strict action has been promised against those found responsible.
Separately, the Adviser on Local Government also conveyed condolences and directed authorities to ensure proper medical care for the injured. He emphasized that no one would be allowed to endanger public safety, instructing the Metropolitan Corporation to take action against unauthorized petrol pumps operating in densely populated areas.
He further stated that those responsible for the tragic incident would be held accountable.
This tragic event follows a similar accident in April, when a bus caught fire after colliding with a mini-truck carrying pesticides on the M-4 motorway near Nawan Lahore interchange, resulting in the death of the driver and injuries to seven passengers. Earlier this year, a crash on the Karachi-Thatta section of the National Highway killed four people and injured six when two vehicles caught fire after a collision.
