Two catastrophic bus accidents in Pakistan on August 25, 2024, have claimed at least 44 lives and left dozens injured, marking a tragic day for the nation. The first incident occurred near the town of Azad Pattan, where a bus carrying 30 passengers from the Haveli region to Rawalpindi plunged into a ravine, resulting in 22 fatalities, including 15 men, six women, and one child.In a separate incident on the same day, another bus crashed into a ravine on the Makran Coastal Highway in Balochistan province, killing 12 men. This bus was carrying pilgrims en route to the Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iran but was turned back at the border due to documentation issues. Police official Aslam Bangulzai stated, ‘This is a particularly treacherous tract of road, with many twists and turns. The driver was over speeding and the bus fell into a deep ravine.’ Both accidents have been attributed to a combination of factors, including speeding, brake failures, and the challenging terrain of Pakistan’s mountainous regions. Usman Gujjar, a spokesperson for the Punjab rescue teams, confirmed that the Azad Pattan accident was caused by brake failure.These tragic events have prompted responses from high-ranking officials. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their condolences and called for authorities to provide the best medical treatment for the injured. Interior Minister Muhsin Nakvi also extended his sympathies to the affected families.The accidents have once again highlighted the ongoing issues with road safety in Pakistan, where lax safety measures, poor driver training, and decrepit transport infrastructure contribute to a high rate of traffic fatalities. As investigations continue, there are likely to be renewed calls for improved safety standards and infrastructure to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Key points
- Two separate bus accidents in Pakistan on August 25, 2024, resulted in at least 44 deaths and dozens of injuries.
- The first accident near Azad Pattan killed 22 people, while the second on the Makran Coastal Highway claimed 12 lives.
- Both accidents have been attributed to speeding, brake failures, and challenging road conditions.
- The incidents have prompted responses from high-ranking officials and renewed concerns about road safety in Pakistan.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported death tolls across different sources, with some reporting 34, others 35, 36, 37, and 44 total fatalities.
