At least 18 Sindhi pilgrims were killed and more than 40 wounded after a truck carrying them to a shrine in Khuzdar fell into a ditch while taking a sharp turn.

The unfortunate incident happened in Balochistan’s Hub district on Wednesday night when dozens of people from Sindh’s Thatha district were traveling to the shrine of Shah Noorani located nearly 300 kilometers from Balochistan’s provincial capital of Quetta.

20 passengers with critical wounds were referred to Karachi after being administered initial medical care. They were visited by the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

“All efforts will be made to provide the best medical facilities to the injured,” assured CM Sindh while talking to media.

Abdul Waheed Baloch, Station House Officer (SHO) told the media that the truck driver was inexperienced and unfamiliar with the road leading to the shrine.

“He was traveling to Balochistan for the first time and didn’t know the routes and curves leading to the shrine,” he said.

The SHO added that the driver was speeding and jumped out of the truck to save his life. He has been arrested by the police.