Pakistan Bus Tragedy: 40 dead after overloaded coach falls into ravine in Balochistan

A devastating bus accident in Pakistan’s Balochistan province killed at least 40 passengers after an overcrowded coach plunged into a deep ravine on the Sherani–Zhob highway, triggering a large-scale rescue operation.

Islamabad: A major road tragedy in Pakistan’s Balochistan province has claimed at least 40 lives after a passenger bus plunged into a deep ravine on the Sherani–Zhob highway on Friday. Several others were injured in the accident, which occurred in the Danasar area as the vehicle travelled from Quetta to Islamabad.

The crash has once again highlighted the dangers of travelling on mountainous highways in the region, which are often criticised for weak safety infrastructure and difficult terrain.

Overloaded Bus Falls Into Ravine

According to officials, the bus was reportedly overcrowded at the time of the accident. The vehicle had originally departed Quetta with around 36 passengers, but more individuals boarded en route after being transferred from another broken-down bus.

While passing through the border corridor between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the coach veered off the road and fell into a deep ravine. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, though overloading and road conditions are suspected factors.

Massive Rescue Operation Launched In Remote Area

Emergency teams, including Rescue 1122, Medical Emergency Response Centre (MERC), police, and Frontier Corps personnel, launched a large-scale rescue operation soon after the incident.

Officials confirmed that 40 bodies were recovered from the wreckage, while at least eight injured passengers were shifted to a trauma centre in Zhob for urgent treatment. The difficult mountainous terrain significantly slowed rescue efforts.

Six ambulances, multiple emergency medical technicians, and support vehicles were deployed to reach the remote crash site.

Hospitals Declared Emergency Amid Rising Casualties

Local authorities declared a medical emergency in hospitals across Sherani and nearby districts to manage the sudden influx of casualties. Medical facilities in the region came under pressure due to the number of critically injured victims requiring immediate care.

District officials coordinated with emergency services to ensure continuous transfer and treatment of survivors.

Probe Ordered Into Cause Of Crash

Authorities have launched an official investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. The inquiry will examine possible overloading, road safety violations, and infrastructure issues along the Sherani–Zhob highway.

The incident has renewed concerns over transport safety standards and the need for improved road infrastructure in Pakistan’s mountainous regions, where fatal accidents remain frequent.