At least 32 people were killed and 16 injured when an overcrowded bus plunged about 70 to 80 feet (21-24 meters) into a ravine in southwestern Pakistan on July 3 [1].
The bus was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar when it crashed near the Dana Sar mountain range on the border between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces [1, 2]. It had taken on additional passengers from another broken-down bus, causing overcrowding which may have contributed to the crash [1, 3, 2].
Sanaullah Sherani, head of the Zhob district emergency service, said, "The bus fell approximately 70 to 80 feet [21-24m] into the ravine." He also confirmed, "40 people have been confirmed dead and 11 others injured," reflecting some variation in reported casualties [1, 2].
The injured were rushed to the District Headquarters hospital in Zhob, about 68 kilometers (42 miles) from the crash site [1]. Rescue efforts were slowed by the challenging mountainous terrain [1, 2].
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti expressed condolences, saying, "I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the swift recovery of the injured." The chief minister has ordered an inquiry into the cause of the accident [1, 2].
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the fatalities [1, 2]. Road accidents remain frequent in Pakistan due to reckless driving, poor road conditions, and weak traffic law enforcement [1, 2].
Authorities are continuing recovery and investigation efforts at the crash site in the Dana Sar mountains.
