Seventeen people were killed and 16 others injured when a bus carrying pilgrims crashed into a deep ditch near Las Bela district in Baluchistan province, Pakistan officials confirmed Thursday, April 11. The accident occurred close to 15.5 miles from a significant shrine during the celebrations of Eid Al-Fitr, a major public holiday.

Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the provincial government, reported that the crash happened late Wednesday evening, April 10 as the bus was headed to the revered religious site. The bus driver lost control at a bend, leading to the vehicle’s plunge.

The critically injured were quickly moved to a hospital in the neighboring Sindh province for emergency treatment. There were 33 people aboard, including the driver, at the time of the accident.

Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the Chief Minister of Baluchistan, expressed his sorrow over the incident, highlighting the profound impact on families during a festive period.

The stretch of road where the accident occurred is known for frequent traffic incidents, often attributed to poor road maintenance and substandard safety measures. As a region with significant geographic and infrastructural challenges, Baluchistan records a higher incidence of road fatalities.

Emergency response teams, including Levies Force officials, were prompt in their response. They focused on rescuing survivors and providing immediate medical care to reduce further casualties.

This latest incident highlights Pakistan’s long-standing road safety problems. Despite ongoing efforts by local authorities to enhance road conditions and vehicle safety, serious accidents continue to occur, drawing attention to the need for more effective governance and infrastructure management.

Community members and relatives of the victims have voiced their concerns about the regular occurrence of such accidents, citing neglected road conditions and lax safety standards. They are calling on the government to implement more rigorous safety regulations to prevent future tragedies.

All the passengers belonged to Thatta town in the Sindh province and many were from the same family, officials said on Thursday after the bodies were identified in the hospital. “They were all very poor people,” Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said, describing them as laborers who had been traveling by truck.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, with initial assessments suggesting that a brake failure might have contributed to the accident. The results of this inquiry are expected to provide further insights into the crash dynamics and help in formulating strategies to avert similar incidents.