Overloaded Bus Falls Into Ravine in Pakistan, 40 Passengers Lose Their Lives

Islamabad: A terrible road accident took away the happiness of many families in Pakistan on Friday. A bus packed with passengers went out of control on a mountain road and fell into a gorge hundreds of feet deep. The accident was so painful that many people lost their lives on the spot. Relief teams carried out rescue for hours and pulled out bodies and injured. Officials have confirmed the death of 40 people so far. Eight injured are in hospital and some of them are in critical condition.

How did the accident happen?

Initial assessment by the local administration has revealed that the bus went out of control of the driver on a hilly turn. Some eyewitnesses say the vehicle was speeding, while investigating officers are probing all possible causes, including overloading and technical fault. The final conclusion will be revealed only after the investigation report comes.

Why were there difficulties in relief work?

The place of the accident is a very inaccessible hilly area. The trench was very deep, so it took a long time for the team to descend and rescue the people. The villagers also helped. Many bodies were trapped in the badly broken bus, which had to be cut and removed.

Is there any discussion about the bus having more passengers than its capacity?

According to local media reports, more people were traveling in the bus than the prescribed capacity. It is being told that some passengers of another bus which broke down on the way were also boarded in this bus. Although the authorities have not yet officially confirmed this claim, this aspect has also been included during the investigation.

What order did the government give?

After the accident, many leaders including Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari have expressed condolences. Expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, the government has given instructions to provide all possible medical facilities to the injured. Besides, orders have also been issued for a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident so that it can be clear whether the accident was the result of negligence or due to some technical flaw.

Why are such accidents happening again and again?

Road accidents are not a new thing in the hilly areas of Pakistan. Experts believe that bad roads, old vehicles, overloading and ignoring traffic rules are the major reasons for such accidents. Every year hundreds of people lose their lives due to these reasons. The latest accident has once again raised serious questions regarding road safety and monitoring of public transport.