25 dead, 1 injured as bus from Kahuta to Rawalpindi plunges into ditch: rescue official

At least 25 passengers were killed and one was left injured on Sunday when a coaster traveling from Kahuta to Rawalpindi fell into a ditch, a rescue official confirmed.

“The accident was caused by the coaster’s failed brakes,” Rescue 1122 Punjab spokesman Usman Gujjar explained.

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The dead have been sent to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Kahuta, he added, adding that 26 people were on board.

According to the rescue official, the victims were 20 males, four women, and a kid.

“The tragic accident occurred on the Girari Bridge on Kahuta’s Azad Pattan Road,” the official added.

However, the interior ministry reported that 29 people perished in the collision.

Condolences pour in

According to Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed tremendous pain and sorrow over the deaths caused by the mishap.

He prayed “for the high ranks of the departed souls and patience for their families” in a statement.

The premier also urged “authorities to provide immediate medical aid to the injured”.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari offered sympathy and condolences to the dead families.

According to a statement released by his party, the PPP, on X, he also emphasized the need to “speed up relief activities”.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also extended “heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased”, while Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated she was “deeply saddened” by the loss of lives.

“May Allah exalt the ranks of those who died in this tragedy and grant patience to their loved ones,” she said during the funeral.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly, also expressed sadness over the disaster.

In an X post, the speaker “expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of life of more than 22 passengers as a result of the accident”.

“I express my heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the families of those who died in the accident,” Ayaz Sadiq stated. He went on to say “authorities should ensure the provision of immediate medical aid to the injured persons in the accident” .