Washuk bus accident
| Washuk bus accident | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Date | 29 May 2024 Approximately 05:00 (GMT+5) |
| Location | Washuk, Balochistan |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Cause | Exploded tire leading to a fall into a ravine |
| Statistics | |
| Passengers | 54 |
| Deaths | 29+ |
| Injured | 22+ |
In the early morning of 29 May 2024, a bus carrying 54 passengers fell off the road into a ravine in Washuk in the Pakistani province of Balochistan[1], resulting in at least 29 deaths[2] and 8-10 critical injuries.[1]
Background[edit]
The mountainous terrain across many areas of Pakistan including Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa[1] have hazardous road conditions due to the presence of narrow and steep roads,[3] frequent heavy rainfall, landslides, and lack of road infrastructure funding, which road contribute to frequent lethal road accidents. Among these include the 2023 Lasbela bus crash and Kallar Kahar school bus accident, both of which were mass casualty events caused by a bus falling into a ravine while traveling mountainous roads.
The bus began its route in Turbat in Southern Balochistan, traveling to its capital in Quetta.[1]
Accident[edit]
Government official Ismail Mengal reported that the bus driver lost control of the bus in a mountainous section of the route after one of its tires exploded.[4] This caused the bus to crash into a hill before falling and sinking into a ravine. Due to the remoteness and the lack of mobile service in the region of the accident, it took longer for information about the accident to reach officials.[5]
At least six victims died at the scene of the accident, while 22 more victims would later succumb to their injuries after being taken to the Basima Civil Hospital.[6] Nine casualties were critically injured and were moved to the Combined Military Hospital in Khuzdar, while 17 other casualties were taken to hospitals in Washuk for treatment. The Pakistan Army airlifted four critically injured passengers to a trauma unit in Quetta. Three women and three children were among the dead.[7]
Reactions[edit]
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti made statements expressing their sorrow for the accident and their sympathies towards the families of victims.[1] Sarfraz Bugti wished the injured a quick recovery and asserted that they be treated with the best medical facilities.[6]
National Party President Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch urged that more two-way roads needed to be constructed in Balochistan to prevent further road accidents, and also expressed his condolences for the families of victims.[6]
See also[edit]
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- List of traffic collisions (2000–present)
- 2023 Kallar Kahar bus accident
- Lasbela bus crash
- Kallar Kahar school bus accident
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Hussain, Abid. "At least 28 killed after bus falls into ravine in Pakistan's Balochistan". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "Pakistan bus crash kills at least 29 people in Balochistan". The New Arab. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "Lack of investment, lethargic projects hurting Pakistan's highways: Report". ANI. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "PM Sharif expresses grief after bus accident in southwestern Pakistan kills 28". Arab News. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ Zehri, Abdullah (2024-05-29). "28 dead, 22 injured as Quetta-bound bus falls into ravine in Balochistan's Washuk". Dawn. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ a b c Zehri, Abdullah (2024-05-29). "28 dead, 22 injured as Quetta-bound bus falls into ravine in Balochistan's Washuk". Dawn. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ Shahid, Saleem (2024-05-30). "28 dead as bus falls into Washuk ravine". Dawn. Retrieved 2024-05-30.