Bus crash in Balochistan kills 40, injures 8

At least 40 people were killed and eight others injured when an overloaded passenger bus plunged into a deep ravine in a mountainous area of western Pakistan on Friday, July 3. The accident occurred in the Dana Sar area near the provincial border between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Officials said the bus, which was traveling from Quetta to either Peshawar or Islamabad, veered off the road and fell approximately 70 to 80 feet into the ravine. Rescue teams from both provinces faced significant difficulties due to the rugged, remote terrain. The injured were transported to the District Headquarters Hospital in Zhob, with several reported to be in critical condition.

According to district officials, the bus initially departed Quetta with 36 passengers but picked up additional travelers from another bus that had broken down along the route, leading to overcrowding. Rescue agencies reported there were 48 people on board at the time of the crash. Preliminary investigations point to a suspected brake failure as the vehicle navigated a difficult bend, causing the driver to lose control.

Senior government officials expressed grief and ordered investigations and aid. Balochistan...