On 29 January 2023, a bus carrying at least 43 people plunged into a ravine and caught fire in Bela Tehsil, Lasbela District, Balochistan, Pakistan. The crash initially killed 40 people and injured three,[1] one of whom died shortly after. The two remaining survivors were in a "serious" condition.[2]
| 2023 Lasbela bus crash | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Details | |
| Date | 29 January 2023 |
| Location | Bela Tehsil, Lasbela District, Balochistan |
| Coordinates | 26°11′50″N 66°18′18″E / 26.1973°N 66.3049°E |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Incident type | Bus crash |
| Statistics | |
| Vehicles | 1 |
| Passengers | 43 |
| Deaths | 41 |
| Injured | 2 |
Crash
editThe bus was en route to Karachi from Quetta when it crashed into a pillar of a bridge which led to its fall, according to Lasbela's assistant commissioner Hamza Anjum.[3] Head of the local rescue service Asghar Ramazan told Agence France-Presse that the bus was "loaded with containers of oil."[4]
Most of the bodies of the dead were burned beyond recognition, and were taken to Karachi where DNA testing would be used to establish their identities.[5][6]
Aftermath
editThe chairman of the Pakistan People's Party and foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the entire country was saddened and that he sends his condolences. He said an investigation into the crash will be carried out.[7]
Investigation
editLasbela Deputy Commissioner Murad Kasi said the cause of the accident was speeding, with the driver losing control of the vehicle while making a U-turn. There were unconfirmed reports that the bus was transporting smuggled Iranian oil. The All Quetta-Karachi Coaches Union blamed the crash on slippery roads and a short circuit in the bus' wiring.[8]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "41 killed, three injured in deadly Lasbela bus crash". The News International. January 29, 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "More than 50 die in two Pakistan accidents". BBC News. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ "Local media: Bus crash in southern Pakistan kills 41". malaymail.com. Malay Mail. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ "Over 50 perish in twin transport tragedies". The News International. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ "At least 41 burned alive in ghastly bus accident in Lasbela". www.geo.tv.
- ^ "40 dead after bus crashes and catches fire in Pakistan". Irish Examiner. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ "Bilawal grieves over loss of lives in Lasbela bus crash". The Nation. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ Paracha, Saleem Shahid | Abdul Wahid Shawani | Abdul Sami (January 30, 2023). "Over 50 dead in Bela, Kohat transport tragedies". DAWN.COM.
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