27 killed as Pakistan bus falls into ravine

At least 27 people were killed and 69 injured after a speeding bus fell into a ravine in Pakistan’s Punjab province, officials said on Thursday.

The bus, carrying more than 100 passengers, was plying from Kohat to Raiwind when the accident took place in Kallar Kahar town on Wednesday night.

“The passengers were going to Raiwind to attend an annual religious congregation,” said Muhammad Afzal, station house Officer of Saddar police station.

Thirteen of the injured were rushed to Rawalpindi because of their serious condition. Others were shifted to nearby hospitals, Dawn reported.

The bus was originally to go to Raiwind via the IslamabadLahore Motorway, but the driver opted for another route.

“The motorway is closed after 10pm due to smog and overloaded buses are fined on the motorway, because of which the driver opted to go via the Grand Trunk Road,” Afzal said.

“The driver was unfamiliar with this area and he was driving the bus at high speed. The bus fell into the ravine while it was passing a slope,” he said.

Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and sought a report of the accident.

He also ordered the authorities concerned to provide immediate medical treatment and relief to all those injured in the accident, the report said.

Road accidents are common in Pakistan. Most of them are caused by careless driving, bad roads and faulty vehicles.

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