At least 18 people have died in a bus accident in eastern Pakistan. The accident happened at night when a passenger bus ran into another vehicle transporting diesel.
– Within five minutes the entire bus was engulfed in flames. 18 people were burned alive while 16 others were injured, four of them critically, says a local police officer.
The police suspect that the accident was caused by the bus driver falling asleep at the wheel.
Congested highways, inadequate safety measures and reckless drivers contribute to Pakistan’s many road accidents. Fatal accidents are common due to the infrequent use of seat belts and the overcrowding of passenger buses.
In January, at least 40 people died when a bus drove off a bridge in southwestern Pakistan and caught fire.