Van falls into canal in Pakistan; 10 people killed

updated 5:03 a.m. ET Nov. 26, 2006

MULTAN, Pakistan - A passenger van veered off the road and plunged into a canal in eastern Pakistan on Sunday, killing 10 people, police said.

The van was crowded with villagers heading to the market town of Taunsa, about 60 miles west of Multan, a major city in the Punjab province, police officer Khadim Hussain said.

Six men, a woman and three children drowned, and rescuers pulled their bodies from the canal, Hussain said.

Twelve other people were rescued alive and some were treated for minor injuries at a hospital near the crash site, he said.

Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan, many of which are blamed on widespread disregard for traffic rules and poorly maintained roads.

MORE FROM SOUTH & CENTRAL ASIA

South & Central Asia Section Front

Indian politician jailed for rape remark   Taliban threatens to kill captured U.S. soldier U.N. worker slain in Pakistan 14 killed in Swat as refugees return NYT: Afghan bombs make every step risky South & Central Asia Section Front   Add South & Central Asia headlines to your news reader: