At least 27 people died early on Wednesday when a bus plunged into a deep ravine in southwestern Pakistan, according to hospital and government officials. The crash happened around dawn in Basima town, Balochistan province, while the bus was travelling from Turbat city to Quetta.
The bus was navigating a mountainous turn when it lost control and fell into the ravine, said Ismail Mengal, a local government official. “The driver was navigating a turn in a mountainous area when the vehicle lost control and fell into a ravine,” Mengal stated, reporting 27 fatalities.
More than 25 other individuals, including the driver, sustained injuries. Noor Ullah, the chief doctor at Civil Hospital Basima, confirmed that 27 bodies, including those of three women and two children, were brought to the hospital.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences, saying he felt “deep sorrow and grief over the tragic traffic accident,” as noted in an official statement.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, with possibilities including the driver falling asleep or speeding. Road accidents with high fatalities are common in Pakistan due to poor safety measures, inadequate driver training, and ageing infrastructure.
