Road accident kills dozens in south Pakistan

Pakistani police say a passenger bus has rammed into a disabled flatbed trailer parked on the side of a highway in the south, killing at least 36 people. The death toll may be as high as 42, including 13 children, according to the New York Times.

Police officer Zia Soomro says the bus was headed north near the town of Pannu Aqil when it hit the truck early Sunday.

He also said 20 people were injured in the crash. He said some of the injured were admitted in serious condition to the town hospital and that the death toll could increase.

Soomro said the accident's cause is unclear. He said one track of the road is closed at the site due to construction work.

Reports said the bus, which had seats for 60 passengers, was carrying 75 people at the time of the crash.

Bad road infrastructure, poor driving and massive disregard for traffic rules make Pakistan one of the worst countries in the world for fatal transportation accidents.

Al Jazeera and The Associated Press