A major road accident has been reported from the Punjab province of Pakistan, where a passenger bus collided with a divider and overturned on Wednesday. The horrific crash resulted in the deaths of 11 people, while more than 30 others sustained injuries. The vehicle was travelling from Karachi towards the Dera Ghazi Khan district of Punjab, and the accident occurred in Rajanpur, situated approximately 500 kilometres away from Lahore.
Details of the accident and official response
Providing details on the incident, a spokesperson for Pakistan's national emergency service 'Rescue 1122' stated that the accident took place on a section of the highway where construction work was actively underway. Citing eyewitness accounts, the spokesperson noted that the bus might have been travelling at a high speed when the tragedy occurred, although an official confirmation regarding this is still pending. According to the emergency service representative, the excessive speed caused the vehicle to slam into the divider and flip over.
Numerous passengers were on board the bus when the mishap took place, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries. Medical treatment for the injured survivors is currently ongoing at local medical facilities. Among those who lost their lives in the tragedy were several women and children.
Reactions from political leadership
Punjab province Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed profound sorrow over the accident and issued strict directives to local authorities to provide all possible medical assistance and support to the injured victims. Furthermore, she extended her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and asserted that those found responsible for the tragic incident will face strict accountability.
Recent history of major tragedies in Pakistan
This incident comes closely on the heels of another major disaster that struck Pakistan's Peshawar just a week prior. In that incident, the roof collapse of a private school resulted in the deaths of 30 people, which included 29 young students. Hospital authorities had confirmed that the only adult fatality alongside the children was a female teacher, and the ages of the deceased children ranged between 7 and 13 years.
That school collapse sparked widespread outrage and grief across Pakistan. At the time, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed deep sorrow and prayed for strength and fortitude for the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss.
