Dense fog claims 14 lives as truck plunges into canal in Sargodha

SARGODHA: At least 14 people, including women and children, were killed on Saturday after a mini-truck carrying a family plunged into a dry canal in Punjab’s Sargodha district amid dense fog, highlighting once again the deadly toll of poor visibility and unsafe travel during winter conditions.

The accident occurred near Ghalapur Bangla in Kot Momin tehsil, where heavy fog had severely reduced visibility. Rescue officials said the truck veered off the road and fell into a canal while navigating a local route, taken after the motorway was closed due to foggy conditions.

According to rescue authorities, seven people died on the spot, while several others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Another seven victims later succumbed to their injuries during treatment, bringing the total death toll to 14.

At the time of the accident, 23 people were travelling in the truck. The passengers were en route from Islamabad to Faisalabad to attend a funeral. Due to the closure of the motorway, the driver opted for an alternative route, which proved fatal under low-visibility conditions.

Rescue teams reached the site soon after receiving information about the crash and launched relief operations. The bodies of the deceased and the injured were shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, where emergency measures were put in place.

Those who lost their lives were identified as Misri Khan, Haleema Bibi, Yaseen, Sonia Bibi, Pathani Bibi, Hania, Iman Fatima, Rani Bibi, Haris, Waseem, Horain, Aamna, Hareem Fatima and Saqlain. The injured were identified as Hasnain, Saqlain, Zaheer, Mumtaz, Kashif, Nadeem, Shamim, Nadia and Parveen. Rescue officials said all the victims belonged to Islamabad.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He directed the relevant authorities to ensure strict enforcement of traffic laws on national highways and ordered enhanced monitoring and implementation of precautionary measures to safeguard public safety amid persistent foggy conditions.

The incident adds to a growing number of fatal accidents reported across Punjab during the winter season, as dense fog continues to disrupt road travel and expose gaps in road safety and traffic management.