KASUR: Three died while 12 workers suffered serious injuries when a factory van overturned near Saeen Di Khoi on Multan Road in the limits of the Pattoki Police Station on Monday.

According to Rescue 1122, the van was carrying the factory workers to Pattoki from Lashari village.

When it reached near the Saeen Di Khoi bus stop, the driver applied brakes to save some municipality workers cleaning the road. The van hit the road divider and skidded to the other side of the road while it overturned. As a result, a municipal committee official, a factory worker and the van driver died on the spot.

The deceased were identified as MC official Muhammad Saleem (48), van driver Saad Muhammad (59) and a 25-year- old factory worker who was yet to be identified.

At least 12 factory workers, including Nadia Bibi (22), Ayesha Shoukat (19), Ayesha Shafaqat (22), Ayesha Munawar (20), Iqra Bibi (30), Fatima Bibi (20), Shazia Bibi (25), Saba Bibi (20), Sawaira Bibi (18), Jawairia Bibi (26), Asif (45) and Murtaza (50), suffered injuries. They were rushed to the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Pattoki. Four of them, namely Murtaza, Iqra, Nadia and Shazia, were referred to the Jinnah Hospital in Lahore in critical condition.

According to eyewitnesses, the van was speeding and was involved in the race with another van of the same factory.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2024