At least 40 people were killed and 11 others injured after an overcrowded passenger bus veered off a highway and plunged into a deep ravine in Balochistan early Friday, in one of Pakistan’s deadliest road accidents this year. The vehicle was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar when it lost control in the Dana Sar area near the border of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Officials said the bus had earlier picked up passengers from another broken‑down vehicle, leaving it severely overcrowded. According to Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, this contributed to the tragedy as the driver struggled to navigate the narrow, winding mountain road. The bus fell 70–80 feet (21–24 metres) into a rocky ravine, causing catastrophic damage.
Emergency centre chief Sanaullah Sherani confirmed the death toll and said three of the injured are in critical condition. He added that rescue teams faced significant difficulties reaching the crash site due to the rugged terrain. Teams from both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were deployed, with responders climbing steep slopes and clearing debris to retrieve victims.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti expressed grief over the loss of lives and ordered an immediate inquiry into the incident. He directed officials to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care and emphasised the need for stricter enforcement of transport safety rules.
Deadly road accidents are common in Pakistan’s remote regions, where poor road conditions, overcrowded vehicles, and unsafe driving practices frequently lead to mass casualties. Authorities say the latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved monitoring of long‑distance passenger transport.