Quetta to Peshawar bus crash kills 40 as coach plunges into ravine in Balochistan

By Our Correspondent

QUETTA – A passenger bus travelling from Quetta to Peshawar plunged into a ravine in Balochistan’s Dana Sar area, killing 40 people and injuring eight, prompting rescue efforts and official condolences.

Quetta to Peshawar bus crash kills 40 as coach plunges into ravine in Balochistan
QUETTA, JULY 3: At least 40 people lost their lives and eight others were injured after a passenger bus travelling from Quetta to Peshawar plunged into a deep ravine in the mountainous Dana Sar area between Zhob and Dera Ismail Khan on Friday, officials said.

The tragic accident occurred on the Zhob–Dera Ismail Khan highway, a route frequently used by long-distance public transport travelling between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Rescue teams, district authorities and health officials launched emergency operations to recover victims and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

According to the district administration, the bus veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge in the Dana Sar area. Rescue personnel faced significant challenges due to the difficult terrain but continued recovery and relief operations throughout the day.

Balochistan Chief Minister’s spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that the death toll had risen to 40, while eight passengers sustained injuries. He said emergency responders, district officials and relevant government departments were working together to provide immediate medical assistance to the survivors.

Rind also revealed that preliminary information suggested the bus was carrying not only its own passengers but also several travellers from another coach that had earlier developed a mechanical fault during the journey. Authorities are expected to verify the total number of passengers once the rescue operation is fully completed.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Sherani Wali Kakar said rescue workers were engaged in extracting victims from the wreckage despite the area’s rugged landscape. He added that injured passengers were being shifted to nearby hospitals where emergency medical treatment was being provided.

Health authorities in Balochistan declared an emergency at hospitals located close to the accident site to ensure that doctors, paramedics and emergency facilities remained available for those injured in the crash.

The exact cause of the accident has not yet been officially confirmed. Authorities are expected to investigate whether speeding, mechanical failure, driver fatigue or road conditions contributed to the tragedy. Officials have said a detailed inquiry will be conducted after rescue and recovery operations conclude.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed profound grief over the deadly accident on the Zhob–Sherani highway. In a statement, he extended condolences to the bereaved families and directed the relevant authorities to ensure that all injured passengers receive the best possible medical treatment without delay.

The President also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and emphasised the importance of providing every available facility to victims during the emergency response.

Road accidents involving passenger coaches remain a recurring concern in Pakistan, particularly on mountainous highways where sharp bends, steep slopes and narrow roads increase the risk of fatal crashes. Safety experts have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved vehicle inspections and enhanced driver training to reduce the number of deadly incidents.

The Zhob–Dera Ismail Khan route is one of the country’s key inter-provincial road links, carrying thousands of passengers each week. Previous accidents along the highway have highlighted concerns regarding road safety infrastructure, vehicle maintenance standards and emergency response capabilities in remote regions.

Authorities said rescue operations would continue until every victim had been recovered and formally identified. Officials are also expected to release further details regarding the identities of those killed and the findings of the investigation once the operation is complete.

The latest tragedy has once again drawn attention to the urgent need for stronger road safety measures to protect passengers travelling on Pakistan’s long-distance highways.