QUETTA: A tragic road accident claimed at least nine lives on Saturday after a passenger bus overturned on the Makran Coastal Highway in Balochistan, officials confirmed.
According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Coastal Highway Aslam Bangulzai, the bus was en route from Karachi to Jiwani when it lost balance near the Hudd area. Preliminary investigations suggest that excessive speed caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the vehicle overturning.
Emergency response teams, including security personnel and Rescue 1122, immediately launched rescue efforts at the scene. The injured passengers, along with the deceased, were transported to Ormara Hospital for medical treatment and identification.
Authorities warned that the death toll may rise, as several victims remain in critical condition. The accident also caused a temporary suspension of traffic on the highway, leading to long delays while rescue and clearance operations were carried out.
The Makran Coastal Highway, also known as National Highway N-10, serves as a vital link between Karachi and Gwadar but has developed a troubling record of serious road mishaps. Over the years, the route has witnessed numerous fatal incidents involving speeding buses, heavy vehicles, brake failures, and collisions.
Official rescue statistics reveal the scale of the problem. In 2024 alone, 532 traffic accidents were reported across the Lasbela and Gwadar sections of the highway, resulting in 43 deaths and 855 injuries, with rescue teams frequently deployed throughout the year.
