QUETTA: At least 24 people were killed and eight others injured after a passenger bus travelling from Quetta to Peshawar plunged into a deep ravine near the Balochistan-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border on Friday, officials said.
The accident occurred shortly after the bus crossed the Dana Sar area of Balochistan’s Sherani district and entered the jurisdiction of Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Authorities said the vehicle veered off the road before falling into the ravine, triggering a major rescue operation.
Sherani Deputy Commissioner Wali Khan Kakar confirmed the casualties, saying rescue teams and ambulances from the district administration reached the scene immediately after receiving information about the crash. Emergency responders shifted the injured to nearby hospitals, while rescue efforts continued to recover victims and assist survivors.
According to the deputy commissioner, the bus had initially departed Quetta with 36 passengers. However, additional passengers boarded the vehicle during the journey after another bus developed a mechanical fault, increasing the number of people on board before the accident.
The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Authorities have launched an investigation to establish whether speeding, driver error, mechanical failure or road conditions contributed to the tragedy.
The Balochistan government expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. In a statement, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti directed the relevant departments in areas surrounding the accident site to expedite rescue and relief operations and ensure that the injured receive timely medical treatment.
Road accidents involving passenger buses remain a recurring concern in Pakistan, particularly on mountainous highways where sharp turns, steep slopes and challenging road conditions increase the risk of fatal crashes. Officials said rescue operations were continuing, and the death toll could change as emergency teams complete their work and authorities verify the number of passengers on board.