UPDATES WITH LATEST DEATH TOLL; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; EDITS THROUGHOUT
By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – The death toll from a road accident in southwestern Pakistan on Wednesday morning jumped to 28, as another eight people succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, an official said.
Another 22 people were injured after a passenger bus traveling from the coastal town of Turbat to Quetta, the capital of southwestern Balochistan province, fell into a ravine, Shahid Rind, the provincial government spokesperson, told Anadolu over the phone.
Six people died on the spot, while another 22 succumbed to their wounds at the hospital, he said, adding that 10 critically injured are being airlifted to Quetta. Authorities fear a further rise in death toll.
Women and children are among the deceased and the injured have been admitted to a local hospital.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, expressed grief over the tragic incident, and instructed the officials to provide the “best” medical facilities to the injured.
Road accidents are common in the South Asian nuclear country, mainly because of weak infrastructure and lax safety standards.
The large Balochistan province, also considered covering parts of neighboring Iran and Afghanistan, is strategically important because of the rich presence of copper, zinc and natural gas but has a poor road infrastructure.
The province has a staggering 40,000 kilometers (24,855 miles) network of roads and highways, but only a few have double lanes.