On Sunday, at least 36 people lost their lives in two separate bus accidents in Pakistan. The tragic incidents occurred in different regions, with casualties including local passengers and pilgrims en route to Iran.
- First Accident: In the first incident, a bus carrying 24 passengers plunged into a ravine near Azad Pattan, located on the border between Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. All 24 people on board were killed.
Tara Zafar, who went to the hospital after hearing about the crash, reported the loss of her father, sister, and one-year-old nephew. She expressed her devastation, hoping at least one family member might have survived.Umar Farooq, a senior government official from Sudhanoti district, confirmed the death toll. Local villagers assisted in retrieving the bodies before official help arrived. Manazir Hussain, a retired army soldier, described how the bodies were carried out wrapped in shawls and scarves.
- Second Accident: In a separate incident on the Makran Coastal Highway in Balochistan, a bus carrying 12 men crashed into a ravine. The bus had been attempting to cross into Iran but was stopped before the border.
An army crane was used to remove the bus from the ravine, and no additional casualties or injuries were reported. Police official Aslam Bangulzai explained that the driver was speeding on a particularly dangerous section of road, which contributed to the crash.
These accidents underscore the perilous conditions faced by travelers in Pakistan’s challenging terrain and highlight the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures.
