13 killed, 9 injured in oil tanker-bus collision triggered pile-up on M9 Motorway near Karachi

• Crash occurs at Ansari Bridge near DHA City on Karachi–Hyderabad Motorway as oil spill hampers rescue operation
• Police says bus was on wrong side, Motorway Police cites tanker tyre burst while rescuers say four vehicles involved, including passenger van and goods trailer

KARACHI: At least 13 people were killed and nine others were injured in a collision between an oil tanker and a passenger bus on the M9 Motorway at Ansari Bridge near DHA City, rescue and police officials said on Friday.

Following the crash, a large quantity of oil spilled onto the motorway, creating serious hazards for rescue teams. Due to the risk of fire, rescuers refrained from using electrical cutting equipment and instead manually dismantled the wreckage to retrieve the bodies and injured passengers.

Malir Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Abdul Khaliq Pirzada told the media that 13 people had lost their lives in the accident, while nine others sustained injuries. He said initial investigations suggested that the oil tanker was heading towards Karachi, whereas the passenger bus was bound for Sanghar.

According to the SSP, the passenger bus was travelling in the wrong direction, which led to the collision. As a result of the impact, the oil tanker overturned and fell onto the passenger van.

He added that the rescue operation had been completed, while efforts were underway to remove combustible material from the oil tanker to prevent further risk.

A spokesperson for Rescue 1122, Hassaanul Haseeb Khan, said that four vehicles were involved in the fatal accident: an oil tanker, a passenger bus, a passenger van, and a goods-carrying trailer. He also corroborated the SSP’s statement that the passenger bus was moving in the wrong direction.

However, Motorway Police officials maintained that the accident was caused by a tyre burst on the oil tanker, while confirming that four vehicles were involved in the collision.

CM orders probe into fatal crash

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and ordered an inquiry to determine the exact cause of the accident.

In a statement, he said strict action would be taken against those found responsible and directed the authorities to ensure rigorous enforcement of traffic laws to safeguard citizens.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also expressed profound sorrow over the incident and instructed authorities to provide immediate and the best possible medical treatment to the injured.

Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic accident, according to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat.

“The president prayed for the forgiveness of those who lost their lives and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” the statement said, adding that he also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and directed the Sindh government to ensure the provision of immediate and best possible medical care to those wounded.