At least 18 Pakistani flood victims, including eight children and nine women, were killed when the bus caught fire. The police gave this information on Thursday.
Police officer Hashim Brohi said the bus was taking the extended family from the southern port city of Karachi to their hometown of Khairpur Nathan Shah when they heard that the flood waters had receded there. He was among the thousands who had fled to Karachi due to the country’s deadly floods.
Brohi said the incident occurred late Wednesday night near Nooriabad Hills hike, not far from the local police station and fire service station. “The proximity saved the lives of several bus passengers as both police and fire brigade reached the spot within minutes,” Brohi said.
The bus caught fire after a short circuit of the air conditioning unit. He said rescue services took the injured passengers to the leading hospitals in Jamshoro and Nooriabad. The bodies burnt beyond recognition will be handed over to the relatives after legal formalities.
Bus fires are common in Pakistan, where safety standards are compromised and traffic rules are violated.
