ISLAMABAD, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people were killed and 11 others injured in a road accident in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, rescue officials said.
The incident happened at a main highway in Karak district of the province where a trailer veered into several vehicles including a passenger van due to brake failure, Bilal Faizi, spokesperson of state-run Rescue 1122, told Xinhua.
He said the injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital, where several of them are in critical condition.
Road accidents in Pakistan are an alarming issue, with a significant increase in both frequency and severity over the years. Reckless driving, poor road conditions, and a lack of proper vehicle maintenance are among the main reasons for the high accident rate. ■