At least 40 individuals, including women and children, lost their lives when a passenger bus plunged into a ravine in Zhob, Balochistan. The tragedy is believed to have been caused by brake failure, officials confirmed. The incident took place in the Danasar area of Zhob, where the bus reportedly malfunctioned, leading to the fatal accident.
Several passengers were either killed or injured in the crash. The wounded, among them women and children, were promptly transported to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital for urgent medical care. Balochistan Chief Minister’s Adviser on Media, Shahid Rind, stated that authorities had confirmed 40 fatalities and eight injuries resulting from the accident.
Notably, the crash occurred near the border between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Rescue operations are actively underway, involving teams from both provincial governments. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Health Department, Frontier Corps (FC), and other relevant agencies have been mobilized to assist in the emergency response. Rind expressed gratitude towards the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for their immediate support.
Preliminary reports indicate that the bus was carrying more passengers than its official capacity. Additionally, some passengers from another bus that had broken down earlier were also aboard the ill-fated vehicle. The district administration, along with other officials, is conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the precise cause of the accident.
Efforts are ongoing to identify all victims and ensure that the injured receive proper medical treatment. The Balochistan government has extended condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and prayed for the swift recovery of those wounded. A comprehensive report on the incident will be released once the investigation is complete.
In a significant development, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed profound sorrow over the accident. He prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured. The president emphasized that the entire nation stands united in mourning with the bereaved families during this difficult time.
