40 Killed as Overcrowded Passenger Bus Plunges into Ravine Near Balochistan-KP Border

Staff Report 

QUETTA: In one of the deadliest road tragedies in recent months, at least 40 people lost their lives and eight others were injured after an overcrowded passenger bus plunged into a deep ravine near the border of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) early Friday, according to local officials.

The tragic accident occurred shortly after the Peshawar-bound bus crossed from Balochistan's Sherani district into the adjoining Dera Ismail Khan region of KP. The vehicle reportedly lost control in the remote Dana Sar area before falling into a rocky gorge.

Officials said rescue teams from both provinces rushed to the scene and launched an emergency operation to retrieve victims and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

Death Toll and Injuries

A statement issued by the Balochistan government confirmed that at least 40 passengers lost their lives in the crash, while eight others sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment.

Balochistan Chief Minister’s aide for media and political affairs Shahid Rind said the death toll stood at 40, with eight people hurt. Sherani Deputy Commissioner Wali Khan Kakar said that the bus had initially departed from Quetta with 36 passengers on board. However, additional travelers boarded the vehicle during the journey after another bus broke down, raising concerns that the vehicle may have been carrying more passengers than its intended capacity.

Rescue Efforts Underway

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti directed authorities to immediately begin rescue and relief operations. The deputy commissioner said rescue teams from the district administration and ambulances reached the site immediately after the incident. District administrations, rescue personnel and other relevant agencies from both provinces participated in the emergency response.

It added that teams from Zhob emergency services and Rescue 1122 reached the site soon after receiving information about the accident. The eight injured people were taken to District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) in Zhob while the bodies were initially taken to a nearby rural health centre. The bodies were later shifted to Zhob DHQ, the Rescue 1122 statement said.

Officials said an investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident, including whether speeding, overloading, mechanical failure or road conditions contributed to the tragedy.

Condolences

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief and extended condolences to the victims’ families.

An X post by the Presidency said he prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and directed the relevant departments to ensure the provision of best possible medical facilities to the injured. “The entire nation shares the grief of the affected families after this tragic incident,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Balochistan CM Bugti also expressed grief over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved in a post on X. He said he had directed the relevant departments to expedite rescue efforts, provide the best medical facilities to the injured and ensure all possible assistance for the affected families. “The Balochistan government is standing with the affected families at this difficult time,” he said.

Pakistan's Persistent Road Safety Challenge

Road accidents remain one of Pakistan's most serious public safety concerns. According to official data and traffic safety reports, thousands of people lose their lives on the country's roads every year due to speeding, reckless driving, poor road infrastructure, overloading and inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations.

Data from recent years indicate that Pakistan records more than 10,000 road traffic fatalities annually, with tens of thousands of additional injuries. Major passenger bus accidents have repeatedly claimed dozens of lives, particularly in mountainous regions where narrow roads and difficult terrain increase risks.

In January 2023, a bus carrying passengers in Balochistan's Lasbela district plunged into a ravine and caught fire, killing at least 40 people. Similar incidents in recent years have highlighted persistent concerns over vehicle safety standards and road transport regulations.

Friday's crash is among the deadliest road accidents reported in Pakistan this year and once again underscores the urgent need for stricter traffic enforcement, improved road infrastructure and enhanced passenger transport safety measures. Authorities are continuing rescue and recovery efforts while investigations into the incident remain underway.