At least 40 dead after bus falls into ravine in western Pakistan

At least 40 people died when an overloaded bus plunged more than 20 meters into a ravine in the mountainous Dana Sar area of western Pakistan's Balochistan province on Friday. Officials confirmed the casualties, with 11 other passengers injured and taken to a local hospital, three of whom are in critical condition.

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40 people have been confirmed dead and 11 others injured

Sanaullah Sherani, head of the emergency center in Zhob district, stated the bus was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when it fell approximately 70 to 80 feet into the ravine. Rescue teams faced significant challenges due to the rugged terrain during the initial response. The chief minister of Balochistan has ordered an investigation into the accident's causes.

According to Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the chief minister, the bus had departed Quetta on Thursday evening and picked up additional passengers from another broken-down bus en route, leading to it being severely overloaded. The accident occurred near the border with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, prompting rescue teams from both regions to assist at the scene.

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The bus fell approximately 70 to 80 feet (21 to 24 metres) into the ravine

Road accidents are a persistent issue in Pakistan, frequently attributed to lax enforcement of traffic laws, speeding, inadequate road safety standards, and reckless driving. This latest tragedy underscores the ongoing dangers faced by travelers on the country's roadways.

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As the accident occurred in a rugged mountainous area, rescue teams faced significant difficulties during the initial phase of the operation