An overcrowded passenger bus crashed into a ravine in the Dana Sar mountain range on the border of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in southwestern Pakistan on Friday morning, killing at least 32 people and injuring 16 others. The bus was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar.
Officials reported that 48 people were on board the bus when it plunged approximately 70 to 80 feet into the ravine around 8:00 a.m. local time. A government official at Zhob Hospital confirmed the number of fatalities and injuries. The injured were transported to the District Headquarters hospital in Zhob.
Preliminary investigations suggest a potential steering fault may have caused the driver to lose control. Photographs from the scene show significant damage to the bus after its fall. Rescue efforts were reportedly hampered by the difficult terrain, with dozens of emergency responders and ambulances deployed.
According to a spokesperson for Balochistan's chief minister, initial information indicated the bus was overcrowded because it had picked up additional passengers from another bus that had broken down. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the hospital for identification before being transported to their hometowns.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their condolences for the deaths. The chief minister of Balochistan ordered an inquiry into the incident and extended condolences to the families of the victims, also praying for the swift recovery of the injured. Immediate medical support was stated to be provided to those injured.
Fatal road accidents are a recurring issue in Pakistan, frequently attributed to reckless driving, poor road conditions, and vehicles that are not adequately maintained. In 2024, a separate incident saw 17 pilgrims killed and 40 injured when their bus fell into a ravine while en route to Balochistan for Eid celebrations.