At Least 40 Dead in Bus Crash into Gorge in Pakistan

Difficult Rescue Operations in Inaccessible Terrain

The accident site is located in Zhob district, a region known for its rugged terrain and winding mountain roads. Government spokespeople said the injured had been transported to nearby hospitals. Some patients had suffered serious injuries, they added.

The Pakistani broadcaster and other regional media reported, citing rescue services, that the death toll could still rise, as some of the injured were in critical condition. Official confirmation of the ages and identities of the victims was initially pending.

Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province by area but sparsely populated. Road traffic in the region is considered risky because vehicles are often overloaded, seatbelts are rarely used, and mountain roads are inadequately secured. International aid organizations have been pointing out these risks for years.

Background: Balochistan as a High-Risk Region for Road Traffic

Following earlier serious bus accidents, the Pakistani government has repeatedly announced measures to improve traffic safety, including increased controls and the expansion of roads in mountainous regions. Regardless, relatives regularly demand faster assistance and better rescue routes.

In this case as well, authorities have announced an investigation into the accident. It is to clarify whether technical failure, excessive speed, or human error caused the crash. Results were not initially expected.

Government Announces Investigation

Reports of the tragedy spread through international news agencies, including APA, and reached the Deutschlandfunk program on July 3, 2026. Local journalists from the provincial capital Quetta, the largest city in the region, also reported on the incident.

Survivors and eyewitnesses described that the bus began to slide on a serpentine road before plunging down the embankment. Some occupants were initially trapped and could only be freed by emergency services after hours, local media reported.

The recovery was also difficult because heavy equipment had to be transported into the mountainous area. Helpers said they worked partly with simple ropes and portable stretchers to bring the injured up out of the gorge.