Additional Coverage:
Deadly Bus Crash in Southwestern Pakistan Claims 40 Lives
Quetta, Pakistan – A tragic road accident early Friday in southwestern Pakistan has left 40 people dead and eight others injured after a passenger bus, overloaded and speeding, plunged into a rocky ravine.
The incident occurred in Dana Sar, a remote area near the border between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, explained that the bus had taken on passengers from another vehicle that had broken down, leading to severe overcrowding.
According to a survivor speaking from a hospital bed, tensions rose when the driver stopped to pick up stranded passengers. An altercation reportedly ensued, during which one passenger grabbed the driver by the neck.
Shortly afterward, the driver lost control, and the bus careened off the highway into the ravine. Authorities have yet to verify this account, and investigations remain ongoing.
Rescue operations faced significant challenges due to the rugged mountainous terrain where the bus fell approximately 70 to 80 feet. Emergency teams worked to transport the injured to nearby hospitals, with fatalities also taken to medical facilities for identification.
Officials from both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa collaborated in the rescue and recovery efforts, ensuring that any victims from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be returned to their hometowns.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his condolences and urged authorities to provide the best medical care to the injured. Similarly, Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti mourned the loss and emphasized the need for prompt treatment for survivors.
Road accidents remain a serious issue in Pakistan, often attributed to poor road conditions, inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations, and risky driving behaviors, especially in mountainous regions. This latest tragedy follows a fatal crash in May, where a minibus collided with a stationary bus, resulting in 17 deaths and several injuries.