Bus accident in northern Pakistan kills 6, injures 23

Bus accident in northern Pakistan kills 6, injures 23

2012-01-17 23:14:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

SWAT, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least six people were killed on Monday when a speeding minibus overturned in northern Pakistan, police said on Tuesday. More than 20 others were injured.

The accident happened on a road in Dadahara, located in Swat valley, when a minibus lost control at a sharp turn and skidded off a hill, causing it to overturn. Photos from the scene showed the heavily damaged vehicle on its roof with parts of the seating area crushed.

Police sources told the Express Tribune newspaper that six people were killed, including a woman and three children. In addition, 23 others were injured, including eight who were said to be in a critical condition.

Officials said the driver of the bus was speeding at the time of the accident.

Road accidents are common in Pakistan with more than 5,500 fatalities in 2007, according to the most recent figures released by national police. Many accidents are the result of poor infrastructure and the disregard of traffic laws.

On November 13, at least 23 people were killed when a van collided head-on with a passenger bus on a highway near the historic town of Thatta in Sindh province. The speeding passenger van was attempting to overpass a bus when it crashed into a bus coming from the opposite direction.

And in late September, at least 38 people were killed when a school bus carrying more than 100 young people overturned near the town of Kallar Kahar in Pakistan's Punjab province. Around 70 others were injured.

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