40 Killed, 8 Injured After Passenger Bus Plunges Into Ravine Near Balochistan–KP Border
QUETTA: At least 40 people were killed and eight others injured after a passenger bus traveling from Quetta to Peshawar plunged into a deep ravine near the Balochistan–Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border on Friday, officials confirmed.
The tragic accident occurred shortly after the bus crossed from the Dhanasar area of Balochistan’s Sherani district into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district.
The casualty figures were initially confirmed by Balochistan Chief Minister’s Adviser for Media and Political Affairs Shahid Rind and later verified by KP Rescue 1122.
According to officials, rescue teams from both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa immediately launched a joint rescue operation following directives from Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.
KP Rescue 1122 stated that emergency teams from Zhob and nearby districts reached the accident site soon after receiving information and shifted the injured to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Zhob. The bodies of the deceased were initially moved to a nearby rural health centre before being transferred to Zhob DHQ Hospital.
Authorities said the bus was carrying 48 passengers when it veered off the road and fell approximately 70 to 80 feet into a ravine.
According to Sanaullah Sherani, head of the Zhob emergency centre, rescue workers faced significant challenges due to the rugged mountainous terrain surrounding the crash site.
Sherani Deputy Commissioner Wali Khan Kakar said the bus had originally departed Quetta with 36 passengers but later picked up additional passengers from another bus that had broken down during the journey.
Officials believe the bus became overloaded after taking on the extra passengers.
Investigation Ordered
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the accident.
The provincial transport secretary has been tasked with conducting the inquiry and submitting a detailed report.
Authorities stated that any negligence uncovered during the investigation would not be tolerated and pledged to introduce stronger road safety measures and transport reforms to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
National Leaders Express Grief
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed grief over the tragic incident, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured while directing authorities to ensure they receive the best possible medical treatment.
“The entire nation shares the grief of the affected families after this tragic incident,” the President said in a statement.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti reiterated that the provincial government stands with the victims’ families and directed officials to continue rescue efforts, provide quality medical care to the injured, and extend every possible assistance.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also conveyed his condolences and instructed officials to ensure the injured receive proper treatment while coordinating closely with emergency teams in Balochistan.
He further directed authorities to identify victims belonging to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, facilitate communication with their families, and ensure that the bodies of deceased passengers from Balochistan are transported to their hometowns with dignity.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy and instructed relevant departments to provide all possible support to the injured and affected families.
The latest accident adds to a series of fatal road incidents in Pakistan’s mountainous regions, highlighting ongoing concerns over road safety, vehicle overloading, and hazardous travel routes.
