At least 41 passengers died and over 35 were injured in two fatal accidents in the Lesbala and Rawalakot areas, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.
According to the details, a bus carrying pilgrims from Iran to Punjab met an accident on the Makran Coastal Highway in Lesbala. The pilgrims' bus plunged into a gorge due to brake failure.
Lesbala Accident:
The bus accident at Lesbala claimed the lives of 12 pilgrims and left over 35 others injured.
The bus, which was transporting pilgrims from Iran to Punjab, met with an accident at Buzzi Top in Lasbela.
The victims, who hail from Lahore and Gujranwala, have been transferred to the hospital for treatment.
Police, Levies, and other rescue teams are actively engaged in the rescue operation at the site.
The injured pilgrims were shifted to Karachi. All the injured have been shifted to civil trauma center, rescue officials said.
Punjab Chief Minister Marmyam Nawaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic accident of the pilgrims' bus in Lesbala. She expressed condolences to the victims' families.
Rawalakot Accident:
The second accident occurred at Rawalakot, where a coaster (bus) going from Rawalpindi to Naliyan Palandari met an accident on Sunday morning.
According to the initial reports, at least 29 passengers travelling from Rawalpindi to Palandari died on the spot, and several were injured.
The rescue teams rushed to the spot and started a rescue operation to shift injured people to the hospital.
The channel reported that the accident occurred near Garari Pul in Rawalakot.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the loss of precious lives in the bus accident in Rawalakot and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for Sabr Jameel.
Mohsin Naqvi expresses deep sorrow over tragic accidents
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the tragic bus accidents that claimed numerous lives. In the first incident, 12 pilgrims lost their lives when a bus plunged into a ravine on the Makran Coastal Highway. In a separate accident near Rawalakot, 29 individuals perished when another bus fell into a gorge.
Minister Mohsin Naqvi conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims in both tragedies, offering prayers for the swift recovery of those injured.
He stated, "The loss of lives on such a large scale is deeply distressing. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during this difficult time, and may Allah grant them the strength to endure this immense loss."
Reporters: Arif Bugti, Masood Gardezi, Faran Khan and Awais Kiyani