Agency: At least 14 people were killed and 16 others injured in a deadly road accident in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province on Wednesday, following a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a van, according to local authorities.
The accident occurred in Jhang district when a bus carrying players from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences to Lahore for a sports event collided with an oncoming van. Jhang District Deputy Commissioner Ali Akbar told the media that the crash was caused by overspeeding by both vehicles.
According to preliminary findings, the collision took place as one vehicle attempted to overtake another while the opposite vehicle was crossing a tractor on the road. The impact was severe, leaving nine passengers dead at the scene. Five others later succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.
Rescue teams and local residents rushed to the site to assist the injured, who were shifted to medical facilities in the area. Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.
Road accidents have emerged as a growing public safety concern in Pakistan, with a noticeable rise in both the number and severity of crashes in recent years. Experts and officials cite reckless driving, overspeeding, poor road infrastructure, and inadequate vehicle maintenance as the main contributors to the high accident rate.
Authorities have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and improved road safety measures to curb the increasing toll of road accidents across the country.
