At least 13 people lost their lives and several others were injured when a speeding truck overturned on a busy stretch of the Malakand highway late Thursday night. The truck, reportedly carrying a heavy load, lost control while negotiating a sharp turn, causing it to topple and collide with nearby vehicles. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but many victims were pronounced dead on arrival, while others were rushed to local hospitals for urgent treatment.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with mangled vehicles scattered across the road and injured passengers being helped by bystanders until ambulances arrived. Locals also raised concerns about the lack of warning signs, poor road maintenance, and the risks posed by overspeeding trucks on hilly terrain.
Tragically, this is not an isolated incident in the region. Similar road accidents have repeatedly claimed multiple lives, highlighting ongoing safety issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A recent tragedy in Dera Ismail Khan saw 11 family members killed in a road accident, underscoring how quickly overspeeding and negligence can turn deadly.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact causes of the Malakand truck accident. Preliminary findings point to over-speeding, vehicle overloading, and driver negligence as major contributing factors. Police have urged drivers to adhere to traffic rules, especially on hilly stretches, and have warned that violations could have fatal consequences.
The Malakand accident has once again sparked calls for stricter traffic regulations, better infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns. Residents mourn the tragic loss of life while emphasizing the urgent need for preventive measures to avoid similar disasters in the future. Road safety advocates stress that reckless driving, combined with inadequate safety measures, continues to pose a serious threat, and immediate action is needed to protect commuters across the province.
