KHAIRPUR, (DNA) – At least 10 people were killed and nine others injured when a coal-laden truck collided with a passenger van near Shah Hussain village in Khairpur District.

According to initial reports, the passenger van was en route to Sukkur from Khairpur when met the deadly accident.

Soon after the mishap, the rescue teams reached the accident site and started rescue operations. All dead and injured were shifted to nearby hospitals.

The identities of dead and injured could not be ascertained immediately.

Police and rescue officials said the death toll could rise as the condition of some injured was said to be serious.

According to figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, around 4500 people die every year due to poor enforcement of safety laws by traffic police.