Pakistan bus fire kills at least 18 flood survivors

Nuriabad, October 13 (BNA) At least 18 flood survivors, including eight children and nine women, were killed when the bus they were traveling in caught fire, police said.

Police officer Hashim Brohi said the bus was carrying the extended family from the southern port city of Karachi to their hometown of Khairpur Nathan Shah after they heard that the flood waters had receded there.

They were among the thousands who relocated to Karachi due to the deadly floods in the country.

The Associated Press reported that Brohi said the accident occurred late on Wednesday near the height of the Nuriabad hills, which is not far from the local police station and fire service station.

“The proximity saved the lives of many bus passengers as the police and the fire brigade arrived at the scene within minutes,” Brohi said.

The bus caught fire after the air-conditioning circuit was short-circuited.

He said rescue services have taken the injured passengers to major hospitals in Jamshoro and Nooriabad.

Charred corpses unrecognizable and handed over to relatives after legal proceedings.

Bus fires are common in Pakistan, where safety standards are compromised and traffic rules are ignored.

ZHB