At least 14 passengers lost their lives, and nine, including women and children, critically injured when a Mazda mini-truck carrying 23 people fell into the Ghalapur Bangla canal in Sargodha early Saturday. The accident took place in Kot Momin, where thick fog had badly reduced visibility on the roads. Driving conditions were extremely dangerous at the time. The ill-fated truck was travelling to Islamabad from Faisalabad and it veered off the road due to poor visibility and plunged into the canal.

Rescue sources said that the driver of the passenger mini-truck decided to select another road as the Sargodha Motorway was closed due to thick fog. All the deceased belonged to the same family. Rescue officials reported that seven passengers were crushed beneath the truck and died on the spot. The remaining victims were quickly rescued and taken to the nearby THQ hospital.

Sadly, seven more succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Among the dead were six children and five women. Authorities said the passengers were on their way to attend a funeral when the accident occurred. Emergency teams reached the scene promptly and began rescue operations. They worked to pull the injured and deceased from the wreckage. The canal was dry at the time of the incident, but the impact of the fall caused severe injuries to those inside the vehicle.

Officials warned that thick fog is affecting roads across Punjab. Visibility is low during early mornings and late evenings, making travel highly risky.  Motorists have been urged to slow down and exercise extreme caution. A tourist died when a vehicle carrying visitors plunged into a ditch in Plugah area of Kalam. Another six tourists were injured in the horrible accident, who were shifted to the Civil Hospital in Kalam. The accident occurred as the vehicle skidded off the snow on the road.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)