HYDERABAD: In a tragic incident, at least 16 passengers burnt alive and more than 12 sustained burn injuries after a private Khairpur Natan Shah bound bus from Karachi caught fire. Incident took place on M9 Motorway near Nooriabad. Fire engulfed rear portion of vehicle.

As per details garnered, ill-fated incident took at M9 Motorway near Nooriabad when air condition unit of passenger bus heading towards Hyderabad from Karachi caught fire which engulfed bus. Resultantly, 10 people were burnt alive, while several other sustained injuries. Police said that eight childre were among victims. All passengers belonged to Mugheri clan.

Police said around 35 passengers including women and children were aboard and after fire eruption, driver also helped passengers to exit after stopping bus. Some of passengers also jumped out on road after opening doors, it added. 

According to SHO Nooriabad Hashim Barohi, fire brigade put out blaze in bus while ambulances shifted dead and injured to nearby hospital. Some of burned are said in critical condition. Civil Hospital Karachi Burns Department declared emergency.

It is said that some paasengers sustained burn injuries trying to salvage their belongings during light bus.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed grief over loss of lives in incident and directed Jamshoro Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police to provide survivors with all possible support apart from mobilising emergency services to provide medical attention to injured.

Official added that while travelling on M-9 Motorway near Nooriabad just near Hyderabad, bus suddenly caught fire. Images captured by survivors and passersby from site showed night sky lit up with a fire that stretched across a short segment of highway leading to bus.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 13 2022

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