At least three people were killed and 15 others injured on Wednesday when a bus carrying workers from a local sugar mill overturned in Sadiqabad due to dense fog.
The accident occurred near Jamal Din Wali Airport, where poor visibility caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
The bus, transporting employees of a nearby sugar mill, skidded off the road and overturned.
Rescue teams and local authorities arrived at the scene shortly after the crash, transporting the injured to Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan, where officials reported that several of the injured were in critical condition.
Police said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident, while motorists were advised to exercise caution amid the persistent fog in the region.
The crash occurred as dense fog affected large parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, disrupting traffic and prompting authorities to close multiple sections of major motorways.
The M-1 motorway was closed from Peshawar Toll Plaza to Rashakai Interchange due to dangerously low visibility.
Traffic on the M-3 was suspended between Darkhana and Jaranwala.
Similarly, sections of the M-4 from Shershah to Khanewal and from Gojra to Shorkot were also closed.
Authorities urged travelers to avoid unnecessary travel and follow safety guidelines until visibility improves.
In southern Punjab, the M-5 motorway was shut for traffic from Rahim Yar Khan to Rohri, as well as from Multan to Zahir Pir, after thick fog reduced visibility to unsafe levels.
National highways were also affected, with visibility dropping to around 100 metres at several locations, significantly slowing traffic and increasing the risk of accidents.
The adverse weather coincided with worsening air quality in major urban centres, too.
Lahore was ranked sixth among the world’s most polluted cities, with an Air Quality Index reading of 195, while Karachi stood at tenth on the global list, highlighting ongoing environmental and public health concerns.
Authorities have advised motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during early morning and late-night hours and to follow safety guidelines until weather conditions improve.
