Passenger bus falls into ravine in Pakistan, 40 killed | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Passenger bus falls into ravine in Pakistan, 40 killed

AFP |
Jan 29, 2023 01:39 PM IST

The bus was travelling overnight between Balochistan's provincial capital of Quetta and the southern port city of Karachi.

At least 40 people died when a bus plunged off a bridge in southwestern Pakistan and burst into flames, a government official said on Sunday.

Rescue workers collect remains from the burnt wreckage of a bus accident in Bela, an area of Lasbela district of Balochistan province, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. The passenger bus fell into a ravine and caught fire killing dozens people in southern Pakistan on Sunday, a government official said. (AP Photo)(AP)
Rescue workers collect remains from the burnt wreckage of a bus accident in Bela, an area of Lasbela district of Balochistan province, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. The passenger bus fell into a ravine and caught fire killing dozens people in southern Pakistan on Sunday, a government official said. (AP Photo)(AP)

"The dead bodies...are beyond recognition," Hamza Anjum, a senior official of Lasbela district in Balochistan province, said at the accident site.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Anjum said three survivors had been rescued and the bus was reportedly carrying 48 passengers when it hit a pillar on the bridge and careened off course earlier on Sunday.

It had been travelling overnight between Balochistan's provincial capital of Quetta and the southern port city of Karachi.

"It is feared that the driver may have fallen asleep," Anjum said, also mentioning the possibility the driver had been speeding during the long-distance trip.

"We will investigate the causes of the accident," he said, adding that DNA tests would be used to determine the identity of the remains which had been "badly mutilated".

Ramshackle highways, lax safety measures and reckless driving contribute to Pakistan's dire road safety record.

Passenger buses are frequently crammed to capacity and seatbelts are not commonly worn, meaning high death tolls from single vehicle accidents are common.

In November, 20 people, including 11 children, were killed when a minibus crashed into a deep and water-logged ditch in southern Pakistan.

And last August, 20 people also perished on the outskirts of the city of Multan when a bus collided with an oil tanker.

According to World Health Organisation estimates, more than 27,000 people were killed on Pakistan's roads in 2018.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On