A passenger bus travelling from Turbat to Quetta veered into a ravine in Balochistan’s Washuk district, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 28 individuals and injuring 22 others, including women and children, as per Dawn’s report on Wednesday.
Assistant Commissioner Ismail Mengal of Basima, Washuk district, informed Dawn that the accident occurred when one of the bus tyres burst, causing it to collide with a hill and then plummet into the ravine. He mentioned that among the deceased were three women and three children.
The bus, carrying 45 to 50 passengers on an overnight journey from Turbat to Quetta, met with the accident around 5 a.m., according to Dawn. Six passengers lost their lives instantly, while some of the injured were critically wounded, raising concerns about a potential rise in the death toll. The injured were rushed to Basima Civil Hospital, where 22 more succumbed to their injuries.
Nine critically injured passengers were transferred to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Khuzdar, with the Pakistan Army requested to airlift four others to Quetta for treatment. The remaining 17 are receiving medical care in local Washuk hospitals.
Due to the remote area and limited mobile network coverage, rescue efforts faced delays in mobilization. However, assistance was dispatched promptly upon receiving the news. Assistant Commissioner Mengal mentioned that identification of most of the deceased is pending, with efforts underway through Gwadar administration for identification purposes.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his condolences, praying for the souls lost, as reported by The News International. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti expressed deep regret and extended sympathies to the affected families, directing officials to ensure the injured receive optimal medical attention and praying for their swift recovery.
National Party President Abdul Malik Baloch also mourned the tragedy, emphasizing the urgent need for safer roads in Balochistan and advocating for budgetary changes to address this concern, echoing CM Bugti’s assurance of top-notch treatment for the injured.