Islamabad: At least 18 people were killed and several others injured in a devastating road accident on the Swat Expressway near Ismaila in Rustam tehsil of Mardan district on Monday, officials said.
According to Motorway Police, the accident occurred near the Saeedabad Khoro Koto Bridge when a passenger bus stopped on the roadside after developing a mechanical fault. The vehicle reportedly suffered a generator failure, forcing it to halt partially on the highway.
Shortly afterwards, a speeding passenger coach coming from behind collided with the stationary bus, resulting in a severe impact that caused multiple fatalities and injuries on the spot. The force of the crash badly damaged both vehicles, trapping several passengers inside.
Rescue teams and local authorities rushed to the scene immediately and launched an emergency operation to recover victims and transport the injured to nearby hospitals in Mardan. Officials said rescue efforts were still ongoing at the time of reporting, as teams worked to clear the wreckage and assist survivors.
Authorities stated that most of the victims belonged to Upper Dir and Bajaur districts, while the identification process was still underway.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Road accidents remain a persistent concern on Pakistan’s highways and motorways, often linked to speeding, driver fatigue, and poor vehicle maintenance, despite ongoing efforts to improve road safety standards.
