At least 40 people were killed and eight others injured after an overcrowded bus plunged into a ravine in southwest Pakistan early on Friday, according to officials. The accident occurred on the Zhob-Sherani Highway in the Dana Sar area, near the border between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Bus Fell 70-80 Feet into Ravine
Sanaullah Sherani, head of Zhob district's emergency centre, told AFP: "A passenger bus travelling from Quetta to Peshawar plunged into a deep ravine in the mountainous Dana Sar area. The bus fell approximately 70 to 80 feet into the ravine."
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said the bus was carrying both its own passengers and people from another bus that had broken down, causing it to be overcrowded. Rescuers were working to identify those killed in the crash.
Officials Express Condolences
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the crash, offering condolences to the families of the victims and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also expressed grief and urged authorities to ensure those injured receive the best possible medical care.
Common Road Accidents in Pakistan
Road accidents are common in Pakistan due to poor road conditions, inadequate enforcement of traffic laws, and unsafe driving practices, particularly in mountainous regions. In May, 17 people were killed and five others injured when a minibus crashed into a bus parked along a motorway in northwest Pakistan. In January, 24 people were killed and 45 others injured in two separate road crashes hours apart. The first occurred in Sargodha in Punjab province, where a truck carrying passengers and cargo skidded off the road and fell into a canal in heavy fog, killing 14 people and injuring nine others. Hours later, 10 people were killed and 36 others injured when a speeding passenger bus overturned on the Makran Coastal Highway in Balochistan. Police said the bus was travelling from the southern city of Karachi to Jiwani, a town in Balochistan.
