According to rescue authorities, the accident occurred when a passenger coach travelling from Punjab to Karachi collided head-on with an oncoming truck while attempting to overtake another vehicle.

The impact was so severe that the front side of the coach was completely destroyed.

Among those killed were the driver and conductor of the coach, while several women were also reported to be among the victims.

Rescue teams shifted the injured to a nearby hospital before transferring all the deceased and wounded to the Civil Hospital Khairpur.

Hospital sources said the condition of several injured persons remains critical.

Eyewitnesses said local residents began rescue efforts immediately after the crash and assisted emergency personnel in pulling passengers from the wreckage.

Traffic on the National Highway remained disrupted for some time before police and local administration officials reached the scene and restored the flow of vehicles.

Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khairpur to dispatch police personnel to the accident site.

He also ordered that rescue operations be expedited and that the injured be provided the best possible medical treatment.

Authorities said an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the accident.

The tragedy comes a day after another major crash near Kathore, where an oil tanker, a bus and several other vehicles collided, leaving 13 people dead.

Police said a speeding passenger bus had entered the road from the wrong side and struck an oncoming oil tanker, triggering a multi-vehicle collision.

Several passengers riding on the roof of a van reportedly fell from a bridge, increasing the death toll.