Overcrowded bus plunges into ravine in southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 40
An overcrowded passenger bus traveling from Quetta to Peshawar veered off a mountain road and fell into a deep ravine on Friday, killing at least 40 people and injuring several others.
What happened
A private passenger bus carrying 48 people plunged into a ravine in the Dana Sar mountain range, on the border between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, at about 08:00 local time on Friday. The vehicle was en route from Quetta to Peshawar when it left the road and fell roughly 20 to 24 metres (70 to 80 feet), according to officials. Shahid Rind, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, said the bus was "completely destroyed" by the impact.
- Bus departs Quetta with 36 passengers on Thursday evening.
- Bus crashes into a ravine in the Dana Sar mountains at about 08:00 local time.
- Rescue operations begin, hampered by difficult terrain.
- Injured transported to Zhob hospital, 68 km from the crash site.
- Officials confirm at least 40 dead; condolences issued by national leaders.
Casualties and rescue
Most officials put the death toll at 40, though the BBC reported at least 32 killed and 16 injured. Other sources cited 8 or 11 injured. The injured were taken to the Tehsil Headquarters hospital in Zhob, about 68 kilometres (42 miles) from the crash site. Rescue and recovery efforts were slowed by the rugged, isolated terrain, with emergency crews using cutting equipment to extract victims from the wreckage.
Overcrowding and possible causes
The bus had originally boarded 36 passengers in Quetta on Thursday evening, its maximum capacity, but later picked up additional travellers from another bus that had broken down, bringing the total on board to 48. A senior district official, Hazrat Ali Kakar, confirmed the overcrowding. Preliminary reports suggest speeding may have been a factor, while the BBC cited a possible steering fault. The Telegraph reported that a fight between a passenger and the driver may have led to the crash, though this has not been confirmed by other authorities. An official inquiry has been ordered.
Official reactions
Balochistan's Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said he was "deeply saddened" by the accident and ordered an investigation. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed their sorrow.I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the swift recovery of the injured.
Road safety in Pakistan
Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan, particularly on the mountainous highways of Balochistan, the country's largest and poorest province. Transportation experts point to deteriorating single-lane roads, overloaded vehicles, weak enforcement of traffic safety regulations, and the challenging terrain. The stretch of highway where Friday's crash occurred, winding through the Koh-e-Sulaiman range, is considered one of the most hazardous in the country. In May, a bus accident in the northwest killed 17 people.
