11 killed, 30 injured as bus overturns in Punjab’s Rajanpur

At least 11 people were killed and more than 30 others injured when a speeding passenger bus hit a road divider and overturned in Rajanpur district of Punjab on Wednesday, an official said.

The bus was travelling from Karachi to Dera Ghazi Khan when the accident occurred on a section of the highway where construction work was underway, according to a spokesperson for Rescue 1122.

Citing eyewitnesses, the spokesperson said overspeeding was suspected to have caused the crash.

“Eight passengers died on the spot while three others succumbed to their injuries in hospital,” the spokesperson said, adding that several passengers were trapped inside the overturned bus.

Three injured passengers were in critical condition, a rescue official said.

Nineteen injured people were taken to nearby hospitals, while another 12 with minor injuries received medical assistance at the scene.

Women and children were among those killed, and rescue teams shifted the bodies to nearby hospitals.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief over the loss of life, offered condolences to the bereaved families and directed authorities to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.

She also ordered immediate action against those responsible for the accident.