The van was en route to Keenjhar Lake for a picnic.

The accident took place around 10:30 pm in the Chalia area of Thatta where a truck and a van collided head-on. Eight people were dead on the spot while another succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Thatta police arrested the truck driver, Muhammad Raees, on Wednesday morning. Raees had been on the run since the accident.

SSP Adeel Chandio said that Muhammad Raees did not have a driving license and was driving on a learner’s permit. He said that according to the initial investigation, the accident occurred due to the negligence of the truck driver.

Police said that all of the passengers, who lost their lives, belonged to the Qazafi Town area of Karachi.

The deceased include Abdul Wahab, Abdullah, Tasbihullah, Noorul Wahab, and Adnan. Their bodies were earlier transported to the Civil Hospital Makli.

The bodies of the deceased have been shifted from Thatta to Sohrab Goth mortuary in Karachi via ambulances.

Governor, CM condole deaths

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed grief over the loss of lives in a traffic accident and directed the district administration and police to shift the injured to the hospital immediately.

The Chief Minister also directed the administration to extend full support to the affected families and impose emergency in Thatta Hospital.

Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori expressed his grief over the Thatta tragedy and called upon Commissioner Hyderabad to provide a detailed report on the incident. He has also instructed the authorities to ensure that all necessary medical facilities are made available to the injured victims of the accident.