In Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, a tragic accident on Thursday, October 3, 2024 took the lives of at least seven wedding guests and left 37 others injured when a bus veered off the Barori Bypass and plunged into a ravine. The incident, which occurred due to speeding while navigating a sharp turn, has once again underscored Pakistan’s ongoing issues with road safety and enforcement.
Dr. Waseem Baig from the health department confirmed the fatalities and injuries. Saddar Superintendent of Police Shaukat Mohmand explained to the media that the bus carrying wedding attendees was traveling from Khilji Colony Bypass to Baleli when one of its tires burst. This caused the vehicle to veer off and fall into a ravine near the Brewery Roads Bypass. A woman and three children are among the dead and seven of the injured are in critical condition.
Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has expressed his condolences and called for an inquiry into the accident to determine if any negligence contributed to the crash. “If negligence is found, action will be taken,” Bugti stated.
In Pakistan, road accidents are frequent due to the poor conditions of highways and roads and the widespread disregard for traffic regulations.
In August, there were two particularly deadly bus crashes: one in Balochistan and another in the eastern Punjab province, which together claimed 32 lives. Officials attributed both incidents to driver negligence.