Passenger bus catches fire in Pakistan, 13 killed

Officials said at least 13 people have been charred to death after a passenger bus they were travelling in caught fire and overturned in Pakistan.

According to the police and rescue officials, the over-speeding bus, on its way to Karachi from Hyderabad, skidded off the road and burst into flames on Saturday.

At least 13 people have lost their lives in the accident near Nooriabad area, they added.

Additional IG Motorway Police Dr Aftab Pathan told media that, “they were 22 passengers in the bus when it overturned and caught fire, many of them were trapped inside and got burnt. Others who escaped or have been rescued also suffered injuries."

Five of the survivors were in a critical condition, he said, adding that officials were trying to retrieve the bodies from the wreckage of the bus.

The officer said, “the accident took place after the bus travelled some 60 kilometres from Hyderabad and the vehicle has been totally destroyed in the accident."

Edhi ambulances from Karachi and Edhi Home rushed to the spot along with fire tenders to extinguish the blaze.

Earlier this year, six members of a family, including four children, were charred to death while five others injured when a fire broke out in a moving van in New Karachi area.