As many as 16 people were killed in a coach accident in northwest Pakistan's Mansehra area, local TV channels reported Wednesday.

According to the private Geo News, the ill-fated bus skidded into a gorge in Mansehra en route to neighboring Battagram from south Pakistan's port city Karachi. At least 40 commuters were also injured in the incident.

According to hospital sources, at least four children are among the deceased.

(Xinhua News Agency August 19, 2009)