As many as 20 people, including women and children, lost their lives while 15 others were left injured after a passenger smashed into a pick-up carrying diesel drums and caught fire on the Faisalabad Motorway near Pindi Bhattian early Sunday.
The bus — carrying around 35-40 people — was en route to Islamabad from Karachi, according to rescue officials. Drivers of both vehicles were among those who lost their lives.
The injured were transported to Pindi Bhattian and Faisalabad Hospital, said the medical superintendent.
The accident occurred near the Pindi-Bhattian Interchange at 4am, after the bus hit a pick-up van that was carrying diesel drums, District Police Officer (DPO) Dr Fahad said, adding that fire engulfed the bus shortly after the hit.
People nearby tried to pull the passengers out of the bus by breaking windows. The injured — of whom four are in critical condition — were taken to the hospital.
DPO Dr Fahad further shared that 20 bodies had been removed from the bus and will be identified through DNA testing.
