18 killed, several injured as bus bursts into flames near Nooriabad

HYDERABAD: At least 18 people, including women and children, were killed and several injured when a bus en route to Khairpur Nathan Shah caught fire near Nooriabad on Wednesday.

Earlier today, Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro confirmed that the number of fatalities rose to 16 from ten. However, two more succumbed to burn injuries, according to the DHO Jamshoro. Eight children and nine women are among the dead.

The DHO Jamshoro said bodies are beyond recognition. The members of the bereaved families are unwilling for the DNA test, he said.

Bodies have been shifted to the Edhi morgue at Sohrab Goth in Karachi, he said.

The deceased belonged to Khairpur Nathan Shah, the deputy commissioner Jamshoro said. 

As per details, a fire broke out in the air-conditioning unit of the passenger bus near Nooriabad.

"The fire may have been caused by a short circuit in the air conditioner," they said, adding that the exact number of causalities will be shared once the rescue operation is completed.

As the bus caught fire, most of the passengers were already offloaded, however, several have been reportedly injured.

Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the deputy commissioner and superintendent police of Jamshoro to immediately reach the site with ambulances and rescue the affectees.

“The injured persons should immediately be moved to the hospital and the administration should provide all kinds of support to the families of the victims,” he said while expressing grief over the loss of lives.

CM Murad has also summoned an investigation report of the incident.

Chief Secretary Sindh Dr Muhammad Sohail Rajput also took notice of the incident and directed Jamshoro's deputy commissioner to submit a report related to the matter.

In a statement, Dr Rajput said he had ordered officials to ensure that the rescue operation is swift.

Dr Rajput also instructed the transport secretary to submit a report on the fitness of the passenger bus. "The fitness of passenger buses running in the province should be inspected."

Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that he had ordered authorities concerned to ensure that a preliminary investigation identifying the cause behind the fire and the people responsible is completed within three days.

"Due to whose negligence were precious lives lost? Were there any safeguards in place? Why weren't passengers offloaded on time? Many transporters have been found guilty of negligence when it comes to safety measures," the information minister said.

The MQM-Pakistan experssed grief over the accident and offered condolences to the bereaved families. The Rabita Committee said the party prays for the early recovery of the injured.