Pakistan Bus Crash... "At Least 40 Dead"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] At least 40 people died when a bus fell from a bridge in southwestern Pakistan, according to Pakistani media and foreign news agencies on the 29th (local time).

According to the government of Lasbela district in Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan, a bus carrying 48 passengers collided with a bridge pillar while making a U-turn in the morning. It veered off the road and fell into a gorge below.

At least 40 people died in the accident, and three, including one child, were rescued. The remaining passengers are being searched for. Local official Hamza Anjum said the accident bus was traveling overnight from Quetta in Balochistan province to the southern port city of Karachi, and "the driver may have fallen asleep."

He also explained that the bus caught fire after falling into the valley, and the death toll may rise. Pakistan has poor road conditions, many old vehicles, and frequent traffic violations, leading to frequent major traffic accidents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 27,000 people died in traffic accidents in Pakistan in 2018 alone.