At least 32 people have died and scores more are injured after an overcrowded bus plummeted hundreds of feet into a ravine in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province. The devastating accident occurred on Monday morning near the town of Bela, Levies Force officialột Muhammad Aslam told Reuters, with the cause believed to be excessive speed. The vehicle, reportedly carrying significantly more passengers than its capacity, was en route from the provincial capital Quetta to the port city of Karachi when it veered off the road, striking a bridge pillar before falling into the gorge. Rescuers are struggling to retrieve bodies from the wreckage, with the remote location and challenging terrain complicating efforts. This tragedy underscores the persistent issues with road safety in Pakistan, where high speeds, poor road conditions, and overloaded vehicles contribute to a disturbingly high number of accidents. The country's road network, particularly in remote areas, often lacks adequate infrastructure and enforcement of traffic laws, making such catastrophic events a recurring problem. Families are now awaiting news of loved ones, with the death toll expected to rise as recovery operations continue. The incident is likely to reignite calls for stricter regulations and improved safety measures on Pakistan's highways, but the immediate focus remains on the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. How can Pakistan implement sustainable road safety measures to prevent future tragedies of this magnitude?

Original sourceBBC Asia