A tragic road accident caused by dense fog claimed the lives of at least 14 people and left nine others injured after a mini-truck plunged into a dry canal in Sargodha late Friday night.
According to rescue officials, the accident occurred near Ghullapur Bangla in Kot Momin tehsil, where extremely poor visibility due to heavy fog caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The mini-truck veered off the road and fell into a nearby dry canal.
Rescue sources confirmed that the vehicle was carrying 23 passengers, all of whom were traveling from Islamabad to Faisalabad to attend a funeral. Due to the closure of motorways amid foggy conditions, the driver opted for a local route, which ultimately proved fatal.
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Initially, seven people died on the spot, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals. During treatment, seven more victims succumbed to their injuries, raising the death toll to 14. Several injured passengers remain under medical observation, with some reported to be in critical condition.
The deceased include Misri Khan, Haleema Bibi, Yaseen, Sonia Bibi, Pathani Bibi, Hania, Iman Fatima, Rani Bibi, Haris, Waseem, Hoorain, Aamna, Haram Fatima, and Saqlain. The injured identified are Hasnain, Zaheer, Mumtaz, Kashif, Nadeem, Shamim, Nadia, Parveen, and Saqlain.
Rescue teams reached the scene immediately after receiving information and launched relief operations. Bodies and injured passengers were shifted to the THQ Hospital Kot Momin, where emergency protocols were enforced. Officials confirmed that women and children were among the deceased, deepening the tragedy.
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Authorities warned that dense fog continues to pose serious risks on highways and rural roads across Punjab, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during late-night and early-morning hours. Investigations into the accident are ongoing, while officials reiterated the importance of adhering to safety advisories during winter fog conditions.
