ANKARA – At least 17 people, including Pakistanis, died and 36 others injured after a minibus carrying illegal immigrants crashed into a light pole and caught fire in eastern Turkey.
The accident occurred on the Igdir-Kars highway late Thursday, Turkish media reported, adding that the bus was carrying people from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran who crossed into the country illegally.
The ill-fated bus was carrying over 50 passengers, including women despite its capacity of 14.
Igdir Governor Enver Unlu in a statement said that some died during the crash while some lost their lives when another minibus, which was also carrying illegal immigrants, smashed into them.
“When we reached the spot we found a… migrant tragedy,” Igdir province governor Enver Unlu told reporters.
“We are deeply saddened that the frequent smuggling of migrants, which goes on in our province, has ended in a traffic accident.”
Injured have been shifted to hospital while some of them, according to health officials, are in critical condition.
The Igdir public prosecutor has launched an investigation into the incident, besides tracing the identity of the driver.
Security forces have arrested thirteen illegal migrants from the second minibus.
