KARACHI: The number of fatalities from the devastating multi-vehicle collision near Kathore on the M9 Motorway has risen to 14 after several injured victims succumbed to their wounds. At least five people remain under medical treatment.
According to rescue officials, the deceased include women and children. The impact of the crash was so severe that some passengers reportedly fell from a bridge. Authorities confirmed that 12 of those who lost their lives belonged to the same family.
Police said the accident occurred on Friday when an oil tanker, a passenger coach, and multiple other vehicles collided near Kathore. Investigators revealed that the coach was travelling on the wrong side of the motorway at the time of the crash.
An FIR has been registered at Gadap Police Station on behalf of the state. The case includes charges of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, along with other relevant legal provisions.
As per details in the FIR, the accident took place around 3:40pm when the oil tanker lost control and rammed into a trailer and another vehicle. Following the initial impact, a bus and a vehicle coming from the opposite direction overturned.
The oil tanker driver, identified as Rafiullah, died at the scene. The driver of the other affected vehicle and several passengers also lost their lives in the collision.
Rescue teams initially shifted 11 bodies to the Edhi morgue in Sohrab Goth, where grieving relatives gathered outside. The death toll later increased after three injured individuals passed away during treatment, including a three-year-old child named Imran.
Family members told media that the 12 relatives who died were returning to Kotri after attending a wedding ceremony in Shah Latif Town when the tragedy occurred. After completing legal formalities, the bodies will be transported to Kotri for burial.
Javed Akhtar Odho, the Sindh Inspector General of Police, directed law enforcement officials to immediately secure the area to assist rescue operations and facilitate investigation.
Meanwhile, Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and instructed the Sindh government to provide the best possible medical care to those injured in the incident.
