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Multivehicle Accident in Pakistan Kills More Than 30 Multivehicle Accident in Pakistan Kills More Than 30
(6 months later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — At least 33 people were killed on Saturday in a crash involving two tanker trucks and two passenger buses on a coastal highway in southern Pakistan, officials said. At least 20 others were injured, many with severe burns. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — At least 33 people were killed on Saturday in a crash involving two tanker trucks and two passenger buses on a coastal highway in southern Pakistan, officials said. At least 20 others were injured, many with severe burns.
The accident occurred at 6:30 a.m. in Hub, an industrial town in southwestern Baluchistan Province, when a truck got stuck in a pothole and a bus traveling behind the truck crashed into it. The second bus tried to bypass the pileup but collided with the second tanker truck, which was traveling in the opposite direction.The accident occurred at 6:30 a.m. in Hub, an industrial town in southwestern Baluchistan Province, when a truck got stuck in a pothole and a bus traveling behind the truck crashed into it. The second bus tried to bypass the pileup but collided with the second tanker truck, which was traveling in the opposite direction.
Both buses were headed to Karachi, the country’s main commercial center, in neighboring Sindh Province. One had started its journey in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan Province; the other had come from Turbat, near the border with Iran.Both buses were headed to Karachi, the country’s main commercial center, in neighboring Sindh Province. One had started its journey in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan Province; the other had come from Turbat, near the border with Iran.
The buses were both carrying gasoline and diesel canisters smuggled from Iran on their roofs, Pakistani officials said, and the vehicles erupted into a huge fireball.The buses were both carrying gasoline and diesel canisters smuggled from Iran on their roofs, Pakistani officials said, and the vehicles erupted into a huge fireball.
Iranian gasoline and diesel, while inferior in quality, is cheaper, and it is regularly smuggled to Quetta and on to Karachi. The smuggling takes place unhindered in much of Baluchistan Province.Iranian gasoline and diesel, while inferior in quality, is cheaper, and it is regularly smuggled to Quetta and on to Karachi. The smuggling takes place unhindered in much of Baluchistan Province.
Many passengers traveling from Quetta to Karachi and other parts of Sindh Province are involved in the smuggling of Iranian goods, according to the local news media. The Iranian fuel is sold in poor neighborhoods at small filling stations.Many passengers traveling from Quetta to Karachi and other parts of Sindh Province are involved in the smuggling of Iranian goods, according to the local news media. The Iranian fuel is sold in poor neighborhoods at small filling stations.
Images broadcast by local television stations showed the smoldering wreckage of the vehicles, with thick black fumes rising over the mangled buses and trucks.Images broadcast by local television stations showed the smoldering wreckage of the vehicles, with thick black fumes rising over the mangled buses and trucks.
The injured were taken to hospitals in Hub and Karachi. The bodies of several of the dead were charred beyond recognition, and local officials said blood samples would be sent to Islamabad, the capital, for DNA tests as a way to identify them.The injured were taken to hospitals in Hub and Karachi. The bodies of several of the dead were charred beyond recognition, and local officials said blood samples would be sent to Islamabad, the capital, for DNA tests as a way to identify them.
Government officials said they had ordered an inquiry into the accident.Government officials said they had ordered an inquiry into the accident.
“We will bring those responsible for this incident to justice,” said Jan Muhammad Buledi, a spokesman for the Baluchistan provincial government, referring to the police and customs officials who enable the fuel smuggling through negligence or complicity. Mr. Buledi also promised that the government would provide financial help to the families of the dead.“We will bring those responsible for this incident to justice,” said Jan Muhammad Buledi, a spokesman for the Baluchistan provincial government, referring to the police and customs officials who enable the fuel smuggling through negligence or complicity. Mr. Buledi also promised that the government would provide financial help to the families of the dead.