SUKKUR: Four women were killed and their three companions wounded when a speeding container-mounted trailer hit the auto-rickshaw they were riding at Acchhi Masjid bus stop near Madeji town of Shikarpur district on Tuesday.

The victims, belonging to Shaikh family, were destined for Sukkur from their native Masu Dero village near Ratodero town of Larkana district, according to local reporters and police. The four women died on the spot, they said, adding that the injured were rushed to the Madeji Taluka Hospital, where doctors referred them to a major hospital due to their precarious condition.

The deceased were identified as Najma Ali Mohammad, Zainab Ludhal, Farida Kuraro and Hajira Yaral.

The police identified the injured as Aamir Jalbani (rickshaw driver), Waseem and his wife Shakeela.

A large number of people gathered at the accident site told the media that the victims could not be transported to the hospital for more than an hour due to unavailability of ambulances at the taluka hospital. In the meantime, they added, two onlookers offered their private cars to take them to the hospital.

The Shikarpur deputy commissioner has taken notice of the lapse and directed the district health officer to hold an inquiry into the matter.

The bereaved families along with residents of Masu Dero village held a protest demonstration on Ratodero bypass against the hospital administration and demanded action against those responsible for the gross negligence leading to the lapse.

They said that the victims were members flood-hit families and were going to Sukkur to collect the monthly instalment of financial assistance for rebuilding their home.