At least 28 passengers died, 22 others injured after a bus fell into a ravine in Washuk area of Balochistan

WASHUK/ISLAMABAD, May 29 (SABAH): At least 28 people died and 22 were injured after a bus fell into a ravine in Washuk, Balochistan on Wednesday, according to officials.

Speaking to a private TV channel, Basima Assistant Commissioner (AC) Ismail Mengal said the accident occurred when a tyre of the vehicle got burst, which led to it crashing into a hill and then plunging into a ravine. Three women and three children were also among the deceased, AC Mengal said.

He noted that the bus, which had 45 to 50 passengers on board and was travelling from Turbat to Quetta overnight, suffered the accident at around 5 in the morning.

Six passengers died on the spot while some of the injured were in critical condition, with officials fearing the death toll could rise.

The bodies and the injured were taken to the Basima Civil Hospital, where 22 more people succumbed to their injuries.

Nine of the injured were in critical condition and transferred to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Khuzdar.

The Pakistan Army was requested to airlift four other passengers in critical condition to Quetta via helicopter to be admitted in the trauma centre.

The remaining 17 are being administered medical treatment in local Washuk hospitals.

AC Mengal said that rescue officials reached the location as soon as they received the news. According to the AC, most of the deceased have not been identified yet but Gwadar administration/officials are being approached for that purpose.

Meanwhile Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed grief and sorrow over the deaths in a traffic accident in Washuk, Balochistan.

Condoling with the bereaved families, they prayed for the departed souls. They said we stand with the bereaved families in this difficult time.

The Acting President prayed for the early recovery of those injured in the accident.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic traffic accident in Washuk district of Balochistan.

The Prime Minister also directed to provide all possible medical aid to those injured in the accident.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Bugti has also expressed deep grief and sorrow over loss of precious lives in the accident.

In a statement today, he directed concerned officials to provide better health facilities to injured passengers. He also expressed sympathy with bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls.