28 dead and 22 injured as Quetta-bound bus plunges into ravine in Washuk in Balochistan – Pakistan

At least 28 people were killed and 22 injured when a bus plunged into a ravine in Washuk, Balochistan, on Wednesday, according to officials.

Speak with Dawn.comBasima Deputy Commissioner (AC) Ismail Mengal said the accident occurred when a tire of the vehicle burst, causing it to veer off a hill and then plunge into a ravine.

Among the dead were three women and three children, said AC Mengal.

He noted that the bus, which was carrying 45 to 50 passengers and was travelling overnight from Turbat to Quetta, crashed at around 5 a.m.

Six passengers died on the scene, some of the injured were in critical condition and authorities feared the death toll could rise.

The bodies and injured were taken to Basima Civil Hospital, where 22 more people succumbed to their injuries.

Nine of the injured were in critical condition and were taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Khuzdar.

The Pakistan Army has been asked to airlift four more passengers in critical condition to Quetta by helicopter for admission to the trauma centre.

The remaining 17 are receiving medical treatment at local Washuk hospitals.

Because there was no mobile phone service at the scene of the incident and no population lived nearby, there were delays in gathering information for Levies officials.

However, AC Mengal stated that rescue teams arrived at the scene immediately after receiving the message.

According to AC, most of the dead have not yet been identified, but they are contacting the Gwadar administration/officials for this purpose.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti expressed his deep regret and sorrow over the loss of lives and conveyed his condolences to the families of those who died in the accident.

The Prime Minister directed officials to provide the best possible medical care to the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.

Party leader calls for two-way roads in Balochistan

National Party Chairman Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch expressed regret over the incident, describing it as tragic and painful.

Like CM Bugti, he demanded that the injured be provided with the best possible medical treatment, adding that any kind of negligence will lead to further damage.

“Speeding buses and deserted roads have claimed thousands of lives,” Baloch said.

He pointed out that there is an urgent need to build two-lane roads in Balochistan and that the government needs to make appropriate changes to the budget.

Baloch said the National Party stands with the bereaved families in their hour of grief and prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured.