Collision between passenger bus, trailer near Pakpattan claims 11 lives

LAHORE: A collision between a passenger bus and trailer on Thursday claimed the lives of 11 people and left 33 others injured near Pakpattan.

According to a press release by the district administration, the collision occurred on Depalpur Road between a passenger bus travelling from Multan to Kasur and a truck in the opposite direction.

Upon receiving news of the accident, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Asif Raza and District Police Officer (DPO) Javed Iqbal Chadhar immediately arrived at the scene to oversee rescue operations, working alongside teams from Rescue 1122 and the district administration, the statement said.

The three-hour rescue operation used cranes and other heavy machinery to extract passengers trapped in the wreckage.

“Given the gravity of the incident, DC Raza declared an emergency at the DHQ Hospital, Pakpattan and summoned additional doctors and medical staff,” the press release added.

Later, the DC and DPO visited the hospital to enquire after the injured and review the arrangements for their medical care. DC Raza directed the hospital administration to ensure the provision of “prompt, high-quality medical care” to all the injured.

The statement said DC Raza expressed grief at the lives lost and also extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

“Extending his best wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured, he directed the relevant authorities to continue providing all possible support for medical treatment and relief operations,” it added.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed “profound grief and sorrow” over the “tragic loss”.

A statement on social media said that the president extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of the injured in the accident.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also expressed “deep sorrow” over the loss of lives in the accident, according to a handout issued by the province’s Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR).

She directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured passengers.

CM Maryam “prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured passengers and extended her heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families”, the statement said, adding that she sought a report on the accident.

Separately, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also extended “heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families”. He also prayed for the early recovery of those injured in the accident.