22 dead, 33 wounded in Qalat bust-truck collision

QALAT (Pajhwok): Twenty-two passengers were killed and 33 others wounded in a traffic accident on the Kabul-Kandahar highway in southern Zabul province on Thursday, medics said.

The collision between two heavy vehicles occurred at around 11: 00am in Kakarano Cheena area close to Qalat , the capital of the province, a hospital source said.

Zabihullah, giving an eyewitness account, told Pajhwok Afghan News a number of persons were killed and wounded in the crash. The victims were shifted to hospital in police vehicles and ambulances.

An official at the civil hospital, wishing not to be named, feared death toll could rise as ambulances had been sent to the area.

The Zabul traffic director told Pajhwok the bus on its way to Kabul collided with a truck. He blamed the bus driver for recklessness.

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani expressed grief and condoled with families of those who lost their lives in the mishap.

The president has instructed public health officials and Zabul province governor to pay utmost attention to the injured, said a statement from the Presidential Palace.

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