SARGODHA: At least 14 people were killed and nine others injured after a mini-truck plunged into a canal in the Kot Momin area of Sargodha late Friday night amid dense fog, according to rescue officials.
The accident occurred when thick fog severely reduced visibility, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The mini-truck, carrying 23 passengers, fell into the Ghullapur (Ghala Pur Bangla) Canal, which was dry at the time of the incident.
Rescue 1122 officials said the victims were trapped beneath the overturned vehicle and died on the spot or shortly afterward. The passengers were traveling to attend a funeral.
Police and rescue teams reached the scene promptly and launched rescue operations. The bodies of the deceased and the injured were shifted to a nearby THQ hospital. Rescue sources confirmed that seven injured victims later succumbed to their injuries during treatment.
Among the deceased were six children and five women. Three of the injured remain in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll may increase.
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise extreme caution as dense fog continues to blanket large parts of Punjab, significantly reducing road visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.
