The Punjab Emergency Service, widely known as Rescue 1122, released a grim report on Tuesday detailing a devastating 24-hour period on the province's roads. According to the official data, a staggering 1,081 road accidents occurred across Punjab, resulting in 24 fatalities and leaving 1,251 individuals injured.
Breakdown of Casualties and Emergency Response
The rescue service's analysis provided a detailed look at the human cost of these incidents. Of the 1,251 injured, 521 people sustained serious injuries and required immediate transportation to various hospitals for advanced medical care. Meanwhile, 730 victims with minor injuries received essential first aid and treatment directly at the accident sites from the dedicated Rescue 1122 medical teams.
Victim Profiles and City-Wise Accident Hotspots
The report categorized the victims, revealing that the majority were drivers. The data showed that 741 drivers, 34 underage drivers, 114 pedestrians, and 420 passengers were affected in these tragic crashes. A geographical breakdown highlighted the major urban centers as the most dangerous. Lahore led the list with 184 reported accidents impacting 216 people. It was followed by Multan with 71 accidents and 78 victims, and Faisalabad in third place with 59 accidents affecting 61 individuals.
Vehicles Involved in the Crashes
The statistics also shed light on the types of vehicles involved in these accidents, underscoring the vulnerability of motorcycle riders. A massive 1,082 motorcycles were part of the collision data. Other vehicles included 88 rickshaws, 159 cars, 30 vans, 21 passenger buses, 49 trucks, and 125 other vehicles and slow-moving carts.
This alarming single-day snapshot from Rescue 1122 serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing road safety crisis in Punjab. The high number of accidents, particularly involving motorcycles, and the significant casualties in major cities like Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad call for urgent public awareness and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to prevent further loss of life.
