Qaseem Shah:
At least six people were killed and over ten others sustained injuries after a passenger bus caught fire near the Western Bypass area of Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan. The tragic incident occurred during transit, triggering panic among passengers as flames rapidly engulfed the vehicle.
Sponsored
Rescue services arrived promptly at the scene and managed to evacuate several passengers, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency medical treatment. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire broke out mid-journey, causing chaos and making rescue efforts challenging.
In response to the incident, the Balochistan government expressed deep condolences to the affected families and ordered a high-level investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire. According to provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind, the injured received timely medical attention, and authorities had been mobilized to manage the aftermath efficiently. The spokesperson further noted that those responsible would face legal action, and comprehensive assistance would be provided to the victims and their families.
The incident brought renewed attention to longstanding concerns over road safety in Balochistan. Frequent accidents involving public transport have often been attributed to reckless driving, poorly maintained vehicles, and inadequate safety regulations. Critics argue that such incidents have become alarmingly routine in Quetta and other districts of the province, underscoring the urgent need for stricter enforcement of transport laws and investment in safety infrastructure.
The tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of neglect in public transportation oversight and calls for immediate policy reforms to safeguard passengers’ lives across the region.
