Islamabad, Aug 24 (IANS): A head-on collision between a passenger van and a mini truck claimed the lives of 10 people and injured 20 others in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

The accident took place on Sunday at the Karachi-Quetta Highway when the van carrying over 20 passengers was hit by the truck with two people aboard coming from the opposite direction, reports Xinhua news agency.

Three people died on the spot and 27 others sustained injuries who were shifted to a nearby hospital where seven of the passed away during treatment, according to local media reports.

Hospital officials saidthat the death toll might further rise as 10 of the injured were in critical condition with major fractures and head injuries.

Some of the passengers were sitting on the roof of the overcrowded van, which became the major reason of the serious injuries, the reports added.

Local police have registered a case and started an investigation into the accident.