Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Eight people died and 9 were hospitalized in a collision between a minibus and a truck in Karaganda region, Tengrinews.kz correspondent reports.

As a result of the accident, eight people died on the spot, nine more were hospitalized with various injuries. It is specified that two of the dead are citizens of Uzbekistan, three more Uzbeks were taken to the hospital.

The accident occurred on 16 July at 03.20 in Shetsky district of Karaganda region on the highway Almaty - Yekaterinburg. A MAN truck collided with a Mercedes Sprinter passenger minibus with 17 people inside. The minibus was traveling from Almaty to Karaganda.

"As a result of a traffic accident, seven people died on the spot, another passenger died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Nine people were delivered to a medical facility with injuries of varying severity. According to preliminary data, the minibus driver fell asleep at the wheel," - reported in the press service of the Police Department of the Karaganda region.

This fact was registered with the police, the place of the accident was blocked. Expert examinations have been appointed, based on the results of which a procedural decision will be made. The police added that in recent years, fatal accidents have become more frequent.

"The police department of Karaganda region once again asks drivers to be extremely careful, strictly observe the rules of the road, go on long trips rested, and make stops while traveling along the route to recuperate," the press service of the Karaganda region’s traffic police urged.