Three people were killed and 12 injured early Thursday when a passenger coach caught fire following a collision with a motorcycle in Balochistan’s Lasbela district.
Lasbela Senior Superintendent of Police Captain (rtd) Naveed Alam reported the fatalities. He detailed that the coach was en route from Quetta to Karachi when an accident occurred in Uthal tehsil.
SSP Alam stated that upon being alert, police and rescue teams swiftly responded to the site and initiated rescue operations.
“Seven injured passengers, including children, were initially extracted through broken windows,” explained the police officer. “Five more were rescued during the firefighting efforts.”
The motorcyclist died instantly at the scene. According to SSP Alam, two additional victims were discovered in the coach once the fire was extinguished. The entire rescue operation took four hours.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, eyewitness reports suggest overspeeding and reckless driving are factors, Alam noted.
Dr. Hakeem Laasi, head of Lasbela Edhi Service, mentioned that critically injured passengers received first aid before being transported to Karachi for advanced care in Edhi ambulances.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed his distress over the tragedy. “Deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of life in this tragic accident,” he stated on X, extending condolences to the bereaved families and offering prayers for the deceased.
