Ismail Sasoli
On 22nd March 2014, a Karachi bound passenger bus travelling from Turbat collided with an Oil Tanker near Gaddani Turn. Passenger bus also contained Iranian oil in hidden containers on its roof and luggage compartments. Collusion of both vehicles resulted in eruption of fire which engulfed both vehicles. Passengers of the bus did not get a chance to escape from the bus and 34 of them died and 6 of them suffered complete burns.
Amongst the deceased passengers, 12 belonged from the same family who were residents of Hub. 8 victims belonged from Kech district, home town of then Chief Minister Dr. Malik Baloch.
All the dead bodies could not be identified due to severe burns and they were temporarily buried in Hub till the time identification of dead bodies could takes place through DNA test.
Read also: Who’s responsible for the growing number of road accidents in Balochistan?
When district administration tried to bury the victims in Hub, relatives of the victims protested and did not allow the burial to take place. They demanded action against the people responsible for the tragedy.
Dr. Malik Baloch, then CM, called the relatives of the victims and ensured that action would be taken against the people responsible for the accident. CM constituted a committee under leadership of Commissioner Kalat Division Akbar Harifal to investigate the matter and determine the persons responsible for the deadly accident. CM also ordered strict action against smuggling of Iranian Oil.
However promises of Dr. Malik Baloch did not materialize during his tenure as CM. Not only he failed to identify the people responsible for the accident but the DNA test report could also not be announced which would determine the identity of the deceased passengers.
Government forgot the 34 dead bodies after temporarily burying them in Hub. Smuggling of Iranian Oil was banned for few days but then it resumed in full swing.
Government failed to release the report of investigation of the accident let alone bringing the responsible people to book.
Relatives of the deceased passengers still await the identification of the dead bodies.
Dr. Malik Baloch could not make good his promises that he made to the relatives of the deceased. Therefore the relatives of the deceased have high hopes from incumbent Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri to ensure identification of their deceased loved ones and also pay them the compensation.
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