Pakistan: At Least 35 Dead, Dozens Injured In 2 Separate Bus Accidents In Balochistan And Punjab

Two bus accidents in Pakistan on Sunday claimed at least 35 lives. While one bus fell into a ravine in Baluchistan, the other bus crash was reported in Punjab province.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari expressed “deep grief over the loss of precious lives in the Azad Patan bus accident near Kahuta" (Image: ABP)

Source : abp

At least 35 people were killed and dozens more were injured in two separate bus accidents in Pakistan on Sunday. Both accidents-- one in Pakistan's Baluchistan province while the other in eastern Punjab province-- occurred hours apart from each other. 

The first happened when a bus carrying Shiite Muslim pilgrims returning from Iraq through Iran fell from a highway into a ravine in southwest Pakistan, according to a report by the Associated Press. At least 12 people were killed in the accident while 32 others were injured, police and officials said.

The accident occurred on the Makran coastal highway after the driver lost control of the bus when its brakes failed while passing through Lasbela district in Baluchistan province, local police chief Qazi Sabir said.

Hours later, 23 people were killed when a bus fell into a ravine in Kahuta district in the eastern Punjab province. “The accident was caused due to the coaster’s failed brakes,” a report by Pakistan's daily Dawn reported quoting Rescue 1122 Punjab official Usman Gujjar.

As per the report, 35 passengers were on board the bus when it met with the accident, which occurred on the Girari Bridge of Kahuta’s Azad Pattan Road. The bodies of the victims are currently being shifted to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Kahuta, the rescue Gujjar said.

Condolences Pour In

Meanwhile, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari expressed “deep grief over the loss of precious lives in the Azad Patan bus accident near Kahuta”. Expressing his condolences to the families of those who died in the accident, Zardari said, “My sympathies are with the bereaved families in this hour of sorrow,” he said, emphasising “the need to speed up relief activities”.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also felt “deeply saddened” by the loss of lives“. “May Allah exalt the ranks of those who died in this tragedy and grant patience to their loved ones,” she said on X.