ISLAMABAD, Jan. 2 :At least 14 passengers were killed and 16 others injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a van in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province on Wednesday, officials said.

The bus was carrying players of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences to Lahore to participate in a sports event when it collided with the van in Jhang district, the district's Deputy Commissioner, Ali Akbar, told the media.

The accident occurred due to overspeeding by both vehicles as one attempted to overtake while the other was crossing a tractor, he said.

Nine passengers died on the spot, while five others succumbed to their injuries later in the hospital, the official added.

 Road accidents in Pakistan have become an alarming issue, with a significant increase in both frequency and severity over the years.

Reckless driving, poor road conditions, and inadequate vehicle maintenance are among the primary causes of the high accident rate.