At least 16 people were killed and six others injured in a devastating traffic accident on the Swat Expressway near Ismailia on Monday morning, according to motorway police officials.
Authorities said the tragedy occurred when a Hiace passenger van travelling towards Dir rammed into the rear of a bus parked along the roadside. The bus was reportedly en route from Karachi to Buner at the time of the collision.
The impact of the crash caused massive destruction to the van, killing several passengers on the spot and leaving others critically injured. Rescue officials rushed to the scene shortly after the accident was reported and launched emergency operations to shift victims to nearby hospitals.
Motorway police spokespersons said preliminary findings pointed towards negligence by the Hiace driver as a possible cause of the accident. Investigators are also examining whether driver fatigue, speeding, or road safety violations may have contributed to the deadly collision.
The injured passengers were shifted to Mardan Medical Complex for treatment. Officials, however, did not immediately disclose the condition of those receiving medical care.
The incident once again highlighted growing concerns over traffic safety on highways and expressways across Pakistan, where accidents involving passenger vehicles continue to claim lives due to reckless driving, poor road discipline, and inadequate enforcement of safety regulations.
Police have launched a formal investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the crash, while authorities are expected to review safety measures on the Swat Expressway following the deadly incident.
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