Death toll climbs to 13 after child dies from injuries in M9 crash

A tragic accident near Ansari Bridge on the M9 Motorway in Karachi claimed 13 lives, including that of a child who succumbed to his injuries despite treatment at Civil Hospital. The incident, which occurred when an oil tanker collided with a passenger bus, left six people injured and caused significant damage.

After thorough medico-legal procedures, the deceased child’s body was transported to Edhi Home’s cold storage facility in Sohrab Goth by an Edhi ambulance. Simultaneously, the Edhi Foundation moved the bodies of the 12 family members who lost their lives in the accident to Kotri, Sindh.

The motorway mishap took place near DHA City. Preliminary reports from police and Rescue 1122 initially suggested higher casualties, but Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed later confirmed that 12 people were killed and six injured at the time of impact.

Rescue officials faced considerable challenges during the operation due to a large quantity of oil spilled on the motorway. To prevent potential fires, rescuers abstained from using electrical equipment and manually separated damaged vehicles by hand, carefully extricating victims without causing additional damage or sparks.

Divergent explanations emerged regarding the accident’s cause. Malir police alleged that the passenger bus had been traveling in the wrong direction when it collided with the oil tanker, which was en route to Karachi. On the other hand, motorway police suggested the crash occurred after a tyre on the oil tanker burst during transit.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan confirmed that four vehicles were involved: an oil tanker, a passenger bus, a passenger van, and a goods trailer. The Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has taken note of this incident, directing the motorway inspector general to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and submit a detailed report.