In a tragic incident near the Las Bela district in Baluchistan province, Pakistan, 17 people lost their lives and another 16 were injured when a bus carrying pilgrims veered off the road and into a deep ditch. The bus was approximately 15.5 miles away from a significant shrine, amidst the celebrations of Eid Al-Fitr, a major public holiday in the country.
Shahid Rind, who represents the provincial government, confirmed that the incident occurred on Wednesday evening, April 10, as the bus was en route to an esteemed religious site. The bus driver lost control of the vehicle while navigating a bend, causing it to plunge into the ditch.
Emergency services quickly transported the critically injured to a nearby hospital in the Sindh province. The bus was carrying 33 people, including the driver, at the time of the accident.
The incident drew condolences from Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the Chief Minister of Baluchistan. He expressed his profound sorrow over the incident and its devastating impact on families during the holiday period.
The accident took place on a stretch of road notorious for frequent traffic accidents, often due to poor maintenance and inadequate safety measures. Baluchistan, a region with significant geographic and infrastructural challenges, has a higher incidence of road fatalities.
Emergency response teams, including the Levies Force officials, swiftly arrived at the scene. Their primary focus was on rescuing survivors and administering immediate medical care to minimize further casualties.
This incident underscores the ongoing road safety issues in Pakistan. Despite local authority efforts to improve road conditions and vehicle safety, serious accidents persist, highlighting the need for better governance and infrastructure management.
Members of the community and relatives of the victims have expressed their concerns about the regularity of such accidents. They attribute these tragedies to neglected road conditions and lax safety standards, and are urging the government to enforce stricter safety regulations to prevent future incidents.
Officials identified all the passengers as residents of Thatta town in the Sindh province, with many belonging to the same family. “They were all very poor people,” said Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, describing them as laborers who had traveled by truck.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash. Initial assessments suggest that a brake failure may have played a role in the accident. The results of the investigation should provide further insights into the circumstances of the crash and aid in devising strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
