At least 40 people were killed and eight others injured after a passenger bus plunged into a deep ravine in the Dana Sar area of Sherani district near Zhob, Balochistan, on Friday. The bus was traveling from Quetta to Islamabad when it lost control and crashed, making it one of Pakistan’s deadliest road accidents in recent years. Rescue teams rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.
According to initial reports, the accident may have been caused by brake failure while the bus was negotiating a sharp bend on the mountainous route. Officials said the vehicle was carrying 48 passengers, including women and children, and rescue workers faced significant challenges due to the difficult terrain. Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the victims and investigate the exact cause of the crash.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured. The incident has once again highlighted longstanding concerns over road safety in Pakistan, particularly on mountainous highways where poor road conditions, overcrowding, speeding, and mechanical failures continue to contribute to fatal accidents.
