Fatal Bus Crash in Pakistan Leaves 32 Dead
The tragedy unfolded on a busy Friday morning when an overcrowded passenger bus crossed the high Dana Sar mountain range between Quetta and Peshawar. At around 08:00 local time the vehicle, carrying 48 passengers including women and children, lost control, slid off a cliff and plunged into a ravine that opens into the Balochistan‑Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border.
Preliminary investigations point to a steering failure that likely caused the driver to skid. The bus, already overloaded because it had taken on extra travellers from a breakdown on the same route, may not have been able to navigate the steep slope safely.
Media reports show the bus torn apart after the crash. Rescue teams, challenged by difficult terrain, managed to reach the site but could not extract every body immediately. Those who survived were rushed to Zhob district hospital, about 68 kilometres away, and medical aid was provided there.
Officials, including the head of Zhob district emergency services, noted that the bus fell roughly 70 to 80 feet (21–24 metres) into the ravine. The bodies of the deceased were later identified and transported home for mourning.
In response, provincial and national leaders expressed sorrow. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti all commented on the accident, praised the emergency services and demanded a thorough inquiry to uncover safety lapses and prevent future incidents.
Road accidents that kill dozens are common on Pakistan’s highways, often caused by reckless driving, poor road surfaces and poorly maintained vehicles. This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of passenger limits, vehicle safety checks and driver training.
On the scene, images captured the devastated bus and its plunging depth. National media continue to monitor rescue updates and the official investigation will shed further detail on the exact causes of this preventable tragedy.
