In a tragic accident of a van in Thana Bula Khan town of Jamshoro district in the wee hours of Tuesday, 16 persons including children and women lost their lives while 10 were injured.
According to Jamshoro police, a van bringing back the passengers from a town in Balochistan to Badin district of Sindh overturned on Taung Dareji road in Thana Bula Khan.
Nearly a dozen deaths reportedly occurred immediately after the accident while some children breathed their last at the hospital.
Dr Faizan Memon of Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, informed that initially 3 dead bodies and an injured child were brought to their hospital.
The death toll in the hours which followed rose to 14.
The authorities identified 11 out of the 14 deceased who included 6 women, 3 children and 2 men.Kaani, wife of Aasan Kolhi, and her 3 children 3 years old Vijay, 5 years old Dhalo and Aarshi, 30 years old Vini Bhanu, Marwa Rajesh, 28 years old Jaagni Bheemu, Daani Haresh, Kaani Aasan Kolhi, Devi Balchand Kolhi, 35 years old Bachu Mal and 35 years old Sooraj Mal are among the deceased.
All the dead bodies were shifted to LUH for the medico legal formalities.
The deceased belonged to Raju Khanani area of Badin.
The Deputy Commissioner of Jamshoro, Ghazanfar Qadri, informed that the vehicle was returning from Balochistan to Badin and that most of the victims were members of the Kolhi community.
The apparent cause of the accident was break failure of the vehicle, he added.
Dr. Lalchand Ukrani, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Minority Affairs, expressed deep sorrow and regret over the loss of lives.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Ukrani termed the incident a “national tragedy” and extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families. He said, “This is not just a painful moment for the Kolhi community, but for all of Sindh. We have lost innocent lives – including women and children – and this loss is truly irreparable.
On behalf of the Sindh government and the Department of Minority Affairs, “I want to assure the families that we stand with them in this difficult time.” Dr. Ukrani announced that the Sindh government would provide immediate financial assistance to the affected families. “The families of the deceased will receive Rs. 200,000 each, while the injured will be given Rs. 50,000 to aid in their recovery. Additionally, the government is making sure that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment in government hospitals,” he added. Dr. Ukrani also highlighted the Sindh government’s continued commitment to the rights and welfare of minority communities. “The Sindh government has always been a voice for the marginalized and minority groups.
“Our administration has consistently taken practical steps to safeguard their rights, protection, and development. This is the vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, which Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is proudly carrying forward.”