More Than 20 Killed In Pakistan Bus Collision

Pakistani officials say at least 24 people have been killed after two buses collided in the southern province of Punjab.

Local police officer Muhammad Akram said 49 people were also injured in the crash, which occurred early on October 17 in Rahim Yar Khan, some 600 kilometers south of provincial capital, Lahore.

"The accident happened due to speeding, and the two vehicles collided head-on," Akram said.

Rescuers were attempting to pull people out of the wreckage, with fears that the death toll could rise, local government official Zafar Iqbal said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's office said he has "expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives.”

Poor roads, reckless driving, and badly maintained vehicles kill up to 5,000 people in Pakistan every year, according to government statistics.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa