THATTA: At least nine people were killed and 15 others injured in a road accident near Jhirk in Thatta district.

Five children and four women died when a collision took place between a truck and a bus. The bus was heading to Shahdad Kot from Karachi when it collided with a truck, police officials said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Thatta Fida Hussain Mastoi said the bus was trying to overtake a truck carrying a load of stones when it collided with the vehicle.

Station House Officer Jhirk Muhammad Aslam said that eight bodies were shifted to Civil Hospital Thatta, while one was taken away from the site of the accident by heirs of the deceased.

District Health Officer Thatta Dr Mahar and CHT Medical Superintendent Dr. Lal Mir Shah confirmed that eight bodies were brought to the hospital.

Those with serious injuries were shifted to hospitals in Hyderabad and Karachi.

The deceased included Abdul Rahim son of Qurban Babar, Shoaib son of Barkat Magsi, Jan Bibi wife of Barkat Magsi, Rahim son of Shirani Khokhar, Lal Khatoon wife of Karim Bux, Nasima alias Hajjani daughter of Asad Mahesar, Sumaya daughter of HIddan Jatoi and an unidentified woman.

The body of the unidentified woman was handed over to Edhi volunteers for lack of cold storage facility in the hospital.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah who was visiting Thatta also reached the hospital and inquired about those injured.

No case has been registered within the limits of Jhirk police station as yet.