11 drowned as vehicle falls into canal

MULTAN—Eleven passengers including five kids were feared drowned after the vehicle fell into a canal in district Layyah, some 130 kilometres off here on Sunday, police said.
SHO Ijaz Bukhari of Fatehpur police station said that some 21 passengers were travelling in a big rickshaw-style vehicle powered by a peter engine fitted locally by some mechanic. After dropping some passengers, it began journey from Adda-111 in the suburbs of Layyah to transport the passengers to Chak 91ml. However, on the way, while crossing a narrow bridge over Thal canal, it plunged into the canal after its axle broke, police said. Five of the passengers including driver Ijaz Ahmad, cleaner and passengers seated on the front seats, swam to safety. Sensing fear of drowning, these persons jumped into the canal and swam to safety. However, those seated within the closed body of the vehicle failed to come out, he added. Bodies of two passengers including Khadim Hussain Bhatti (45) and Qasim (11) have been taken out while the search for remaining nine persons was on.—Agencies