Rahim Yar Khan:
At least three people lost their lives and seven others sustained injuries in a tragic road accident in Rahim Yar Khan when an ambulance carrying a deceased person to Karachi collided with a passenger bus. The incident occurred near the Zahir Pir Interchange, according to rescue and emergency officials.
Rescue authorities said the collision was severe, resulting in extensive damage to both vehicles and causing immediate loss of life at the scene. Emergency teams rushed to the site soon after receiving information about the accident and began rescue operations to assist the injured and recover the deceased.
According to initial reports, the ambulance was transporting a body to Karachi when it was involved in the crash with a bus traveling on the same route. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been officially confirmed; however, officials stated that investigations are underway to determine whether speeding, poor visibility, road conditions, or human error played a role in the collision.
Rescue officials confirmed that three individuals died as a result of the accident, while seven others were injured. The injured were provided first aid at the scene before being shifted to nearby hospitals for further medical treatment. Hospital sources said that some of the injured were in serious condition, and doctors were making efforts to stabilize them.
The bodies of the deceased were also transported to the nearest hospital for medico-legal formalities. Authorities said that the identities of the victims were being ascertained, and their families were being informed about the tragic incident.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and distressing. They said the impact of the collision was so powerful that both vehicles were badly damaged, causing panic among passengers and people present nearby. Local residents and passersby assisted rescue teams by helping to pull injured individuals out of the wreckage before ambulances arrived.
Traffic on the highway near the Zahir Pir Interchange was temporarily disrupted following the accident, leading to long queues of vehicles. Police officials reached the spot and cordoned off the area to facilitate rescue operations and clear the road. After several hours, traffic flow was gradually restored once the damaged vehicles were removed.
This incident comes amid growing concerns over road safety in the region. Rahim Yar Khan and surrounding areas have witnessed several serious traffic accidents in recent months, many of them involving buses, trucks, and emergency vehicles. Poor enforcement of traffic laws, reckless driving, and inadequate road safety measures are often cited as contributing factors.
Rescue officials emphasized the need for drivers, particularly those operating commercial vehicles and emergency transport, to strictly follow traffic rules and exercise caution, especially on highways and interchanges. “Such accidents not only claim precious lives but also cause immense suffering to families,” a rescue officer said, urging authorities to strengthen road safety enforcement.
The tragic nature of the incident was further deepened by the fact that the ambulance was already carrying a deceased person, meaning the journey itself was meant to facilitate burial rites rather than emergency medical care. The loss of additional lives in such circumstances has shocked local residents and sparked sorrow across the area.
Local administration officials expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that a thorough inquiry would be conducted into the accident. They said that if negligence is found on the part of any driver, strict action will be taken according to the law.
Road safety experts have repeatedly called for improved driver training, regular vehicle fitness checks, and better monitoring of speed limits, particularly on highways and interchanges where traffic density is high. They argue that emergency vehicles, while often operating under pressure, must also adhere to safety protocols to avoid preventable tragedies.
In recent years, Pakistan has faced a high rate of road traffic accidents, with thousands of lives lost annually. Experts believe that a combination of public awareness campaigns, improved infrastructure, and strict law enforcement is essential to reduce the number of fatal accidents.
