18 killed in road accident in Pakistan's Punjab province
Lahore (PTI): At least 18 passengers, including women and children, were killed and 16 injured in a fatal accident on a motorway in Punjab province of Pakistan on Sunday morning, police said.
The bus en route to Islamabad from Karachi carried about 40 passengers when it collided with a pick up van at Pindi Bhattian section of Faisalabad motorway, some 140 kilometres from Lahore, around 4:30 am, the police said.
"On the Pindi Bhatian section of the motorway, the bus hit a static van which was carrying a fuel tank. The bus hit it from the rear and both vehicles caught fire immediately, killing at least 18 passengers," Inspector General (IG) Motorway Police Sultan Khawaja said.
Another 16 persons with burn injuries were shifted to nearby hospitals.
The death toll may rise further as the condition of some of the injured is said to be critical, the IG said.
The IG further said the passengers who managed to jump off the bus survived.
Others did not get a chance to get off as fire engulfed both the vehicles, he said, adding that drivers of both the vehicles also died.
IG Khawaja also said the cause of the accident was yet to be ascertained "whether the bus driver fell asleep as the time of accident or the crash took place because of over speeding".
He said both the vehicles would not have caught fire had the van not been carrying a fuel tank.
He added that the identity of those who lost their lives would be ascertained through DNA tests after which the bodies would be handed over to their families.
Punjab caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and directed the authorities concerned to provide best treatment to the injured.
Road accidents which are common across Pakistan claim numerous lives on a daily basis.
Five people, including a woman and two minors, were killed and 20 others injured when a bus overturned in the Fazilpur area of Punjab's Rajanpur district back in July.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
