By The Nexus Gazette.
25th August, 2024.
In a heartbreaking accident, 23 people lost their lives on August 25, 2024, when a bus plunged into a ravine near the town of Azad Pattan, straddling the border between Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The tragedy has left the local community in deep sorrow and raised urgent concerns about road safety in the region.
The ill-fated bus was carrying 24 passengers along a perilous stretch of road notorious for its sharp turns and steep inclines. According to rescue officials, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and tumble into the ravine below. The impact was devastating, and the bus was severely damaged, complicating rescue efforts.
Out of the 24 passengers on board, 23 tragically lost their lives. The victims included 15 men, six women, and one child. The sole survivor, who sustained critical injuries, was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency medical care. Rescue operations were hampered by the challenging terrain, but local villagers, alongside emergency services, worked tirelessly to recover the bodies and assist the injured.
Farooq Ahmed, a spokesperson for Rescue 1122 emergency services in Punjab, confirmed the death toll and expressed his deep condolences to the bereaved families. He also called for enhanced road safety measures and improved driver training to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The accident has cast a long shadow over the local community, where many families are now mourning the loss of loved ones. Tara Zafar, who lost three family members in the crash, described the day as a “doomsday” for her family. The grief-stricken community has rallied together to offer support to those affected, but the sense of loss is overwhelming.
Local leaders and residents are calling for urgent action to improve road safety in the area. The treacherous conditions of the roads, coupled with a lack of adequate safety measures, have been a longstanding concern for the people living in this region.
The tragic bus crash in Azad Pattan serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by poorly maintained roads and the need for stricter safety protocols in Pakistan. As the community mourns the loss of 23 lives, there is a collective demand for immediate reforms to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.
This incident has not only shaken the local community but also sparked a nationwide conversation about road safety and the need for comprehensive measures to protect lives on Pakistan’s roads.
Resources:
1.https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/08/36-dead-in-two-pakistan-bus-crashes/
2.https://www.tbsnews.net/world/south-asia/35-killed-two-pakistan-bus-crashes-925461
3.https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/at-least-22-dead-in-pakistan-bus-crash
4.https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/08/25/36-dead-two-pakistan-bus-crashes/