At least 27 people were killed on Wednesday when a bus veered off a road and fell into a deep ravine in southwestern Pakistan, hospital and government officials said.
The accident occurred around dawn in Basima town of Balochistan when the bus was travelling from Turbat city to Quetta.
“The driver was trying to make a turn in a mountainous area when the vehicle lost control and fell into a ravine,” local government official Ismail Mengal said, putting the death toll at 27.
“The cause of the accident is still under investigation. It is possible that the driver was dozing off or speeding which may have led to the accident.”
More than 25 people were injured, including the driver.
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Noor Ullah, head doctor at Bassima Civil Hospital, told AFP that 27 bodies, including three women and two children, had been brought to the hospital.
Prime Minister Sharif “expressed deep grief and grief over this tragic road accident,” his office said in a statement.
Pakistan is home to a high number of deadly road accidents due to weak safety measures, inadequate driver training and an aging transport infrastructure.
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In April, at least 17 pilgrims were killed and 41 injured in a crash on their way to a holy site in Balochistan’s Hub district.
In January last year, 41 people were killed when a bus carrying canisters of flammable oil veered off the road into a ravine, burst into flames and killed 27 people.
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