Nine picnickers from Karachi killed in road accident in Thatta

Nine picnickers from Karachi were killed in a road accident in Thatta on Tuesday night.

The picnic party was returning to Landhi, Karachi, in a Suzuki van after enjoying a picnic at Keenjhar Lake when their vehicle a Suzuki van, rammed into a truck on Hyderabad-Thatta Road near Chilya.

The accident left eight people killed on the spot. While one of the injured, who was taken to a hospital in Thatta, later succumbed to his wounds.

The deceased who were on their way to Keenjhar Lake for a picnic, hailed from the Malir area of Karachi.

Five of the deceased were identified as Abdul Wahab, Abdullah, Tasbihullah, Noorul Wahab and Adnan.

While the identification of four others could not be ascertained.

The bodies were shifted to Civil Hospital Makli for autopsy.

Later, the bodies were transported to Karachi, where six of them have been released to their respective families.

In the latest development, Police have arrested the driver of a truck that collided with a van in Thatta, who at first managed to escape from the scene following the horrible accident. 

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Adil Chandio said that driver Mohammad Raees had a learning driving license.

“The initial investigations indicate that the accident occurred due to the negligence of the truck driver,” said SSP Chandio.

He added that action is also being taken against the owner of the truck.

Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the accident and ordered deputy commissioner Thatta to ensure medical facilities for the injured.

CM Murad Ali Shah also directed the DC to make arrangements for shifting the bodies to Karachi.

Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori also expressed sorrow over the sad incident.