20 die in bus plunge as driver loses control in Dera Ismail Khan

At least 20 passengers died and 13 others were injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Mughal Kot area of Drazinda tehsil in District Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to the DI Khan police, a Sada Bahar coach was on its way from Rawalpindi to Quetta when it met an accident in an area bordering Balochistan.

According to the eyewitnesses, the driver lost control over the steering due to overspeeding amid rain; resultantly, the vehicle skidded into the gorge.

According to the rescue sources, the bodies of the two deceased have been shifted to Zhob Hospital, whereas, the rest have been moved to Mughal Kot Hospital in Dera Ismail Khan.

Television footage showed rescue workers assisting bloodied passengers, while in another scene, the wreckage could be seen.

Sherani Assistant Commissioner Mehtab Shah said the incident occurred near Dana Sar area. He said that the bus plunged into the ravine while speeding, killing 20 passengers and injuring 13 others.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene soon after receiving information, Mehtab Shah said, adding the bodies had been taken to Civil Hospital Mughal Kot where the process to identify them was underway.
Medical superintendent of Civil Hospital Zhob, Dr Noorul Haq, said that the injured being brought to the facility were in critical condition. He also said that the death toll was expected to rise.

The bus skidded off a slippery road near Danisar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as it was en route to Quetta from Rawalpindi, local official Ejaz Jaffer told AFP.

Pakistan has an appalling road safety record, with frequent accidents due to poorly maintained routes and vehicles -- as well as reckless driving.

At least 22 people died when a minibus plunged into a ravine in Balochistan last month.

President Alvi, PM Shehbaz grieved

President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in a bus accident near Zhob in Balochistan province.

The president and the prime minister expressing their condolences with the bereaved families, prayed for the high ranks of the departed souls. They also prayed for the early recovery of the injured ones.

The prime minister directed for immediate and best treatment to those injured in the mishap and stressed that all efforts should be made in this regard.

According to media reports, a Quetta bound bus from Islamabad met an accident near Zhob, killing several passengers and leaving scores of others injured.

Reporter: Sajid Baloch