17 dead, over 30 hurt as truck falls into ditch

A Shah Noorani-bound truck carrying devotees fell into a ditch in Hub, killing at least 17 people.

According to the police, a truck packed with devotees plunged into ditch near Ayan Peer while going to Shah Noorani shrine from Thatta. As a result, 17 devotees were killed and more than 20 injured.

The police said that the devotees belong to Thatta and more than 30 people were traveling in the ill-fated truck.

After the incident, on the instructions of Balochistan chief minister 12 seriously injured people were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi, while others are undergoing treatment at Hub Civil Hospital.

On the other hand, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed regret over the accident and voiced his sympathy with the bereaved and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

A spokesperson for the Balochistan government while confirming the incident said that the devotees were travelling to the Shah Noorani shrine from Karachi.

He said that the provincial government had imposed an emergency in the Jam Ghulam Qadir Hospital Hub. The spokesperson further said that emergency instructions have also been sent to the commissioners of Kalat and Hub.