HUB: At least 26 people were burnt to death and 14 others received burn injuries in a collision between a passenger coach and an oil tanker on National Highway near Bella area of Lasbella district today. 

According to Levies sources, a Panjgur-bound passenger bus carrying commuters from Karachi was on its way when an oil tanker hit it which coming from opposite direction due to over speeding near Chaman Hotel at Bella area. As a result, the passenger coach turned into an inferno and 21 commuters burnt to death on the spot while 14 others suffered burn injuries. Soon After the incident, Deputy Commissioner Lasbella, local administrations including Levies force, police, Frontier Corps Balochistan and fire brigade teams reached the site and started efforts to extinguish the fire. The bodies and the injured were taken to nearby hospital after hectic attempts by local administration and Levies force.

The injured were referred to Karachi based hospital in views of their critical condition. The injured were identified as Abdullah, Muhammad Nawaz, Abdul Jabbar, Imran, Rash, Abdul Manan, Muhammad Farooq, Noor Baksh, Shah Mir, Muhammad, Mafa Bibi, Gull Pari, Zahra Bibi, and Asma. The further process was underway. Anis, Sarfraz Ahmed Imran, and Hina have been brought to Karachi.  Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Jam Kamal Khan expressed his deep sorrow over the sudden death of passengers and prayed for injured victims for early recovery of them. He directed related officials to take all measures to ensure treatment of injured victims as soon as possible, despite directives were issued to concerned officials to submit a report of the incident.

A relevant piece published earlier: