Overcrowded Pakistan Bus Plunges Into Ravine, Killing 40
QUETTA-An overcrowded passenger bus veered off a highway and plunged into a rocky ravine in southwestern Pakistan early Friday, killing at least 40 people and injuring eight others, provincial officials said.
The accident occurred in Dana Sar, a remote area near the border between Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, according to Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government.
Rind said the bus lost control before falling into the ravine. The vehicle was carrying its own passengers as well as travelers from another bus that had broken down earlier, leaving it overcrowded at the time of the crash.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, where rescue teams worked to recover victims, identify those killed and transport the injured for medical treatment.
Authorities said eight people survived the crash and were receiving medical care. Officials did not immediately provide details on the cause of the accident or identify the victims.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti expressed condolences to the families of those who died and directed relevant authorities to ensure that the injured received the best possible medical treatment.
In a statement issued after the crash, Bugti said the provincial government would closely monitor rescue and medical efforts as emergency teams continued operations at the remote accident site.
The crash is among the deadliest road accidents reported in Pakistan this year and highlights persistent concerns over road safety across the country, particularly in mountainous regions where difficult terrain and narrow highways increase the risk of fatal accidents.
Traffic accidents are a recurring problem in Pakistan, where poor road infrastructure, inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations and unsafe driving practices contribute to a high number of fatalities each year.
Overloading of passenger vehicles is also a common challenge, particularly on long-distance routes serving remote areas where public transportation options are limited.
Authorities have not indicated whether a formal investigation has been launched, but officials are expected to examine the circumstances that caused the bus to leave the highway.
Rescue operations continued throughout the day as authorities sought to complete the identification of those killed and assist families affected by the accident.
