At least 20 people were injured after a passenger coach crashed inside Tunnel No. 3 of the Swat Motorway on Wednesday, rescue officials said.
According to Rescue 1122 officials, the coach was traveling from Madyan, Swat to Peshawar when the driver reportedly lost control inside the tunnel, leading to the accident.
Rescue officials confirmed that the injured include men, women, and children. emergency teams reached the site within minutes and shifted all the injured to Palai Hospital after providing initial first aid at the scene.
Rescue teams, ambulances, and motorway police were dispatched immediately. The tunnel was temporarily closed for traffic to facilitate the rescue operation.
Officials said the condition of most of the injured is stable, while a few are under observation for serious injuries. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation. Motorway police said they are examining whether speeding, brake failure, or poor visibility inside the tunnel contributed to the accident.
Authorities have urged drivers to observe speed limits and use headlights while passing through tunnels on the Swat Motorway.
The Swat Motorway, also called the M-16, connects Swat with the rest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is a key route for tourists and locals. Tunnel No. 3 is one of the longest tunnels on the route.
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