ISLAMABAD, (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people were killed and five others injured when a truck fell on top of a passenger bus in Rahim Yar Khan city of east Pakistan 's Punjab province, rescue workers told local media.

Reports stated that a passenger bus fell into a ditch on Fayroza Central Road and got stuck in it. The accident occurred when a truck loaded with sacks of sugar fell on top of the bus.

Rescue officials said the rescue operation then began with the help of 10 emergency vehicles as well as cranes belonging to the district administration, adding that rescue work was hampered by heavy rains.

Rescue officials said the initial death toll of five had risen to 13 as rescue teams began removing bodies from the bus.

They added that the injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Traffic accidents occur frequently in Pakistan, mainly due to poorly maintained vehicles, rickety roads and neglect of road safety measures.