8 killed, 18 injured in Pakistan bus crash

At least eight people were killed and 18 others injured on Sunday when a passenger bus traveling between two major cities in Pakistan overturned near the town of Chakwal in eastern Punjab province, according to rescue officials.

The bus was en route from Islamabad, the country’s capital, to Lahore, when it crashed near the Balkassar area of Chakwal district. Authorities say around 40 passengers were onboard at the time of the accident.

Farooq Ahmad, spokesperson for Rescue 1122 — said six rescue vehicles and 25 personnel responded to the scene. He confirmed that the rescue operation has now concluded.

The deceased include:

• Habiba, 35, who sustained a fatal head injury
• Haider, an 8-month-old boy
• Ume Habiba, 26
• An unidentified 1-year-old child
• Khadija, 14, and Haram, 2, both daughters of a man named Khaliq
• Sardar Nadeem, 45
• Mansha Begum, 38

Eighteen injured passengers were transported to local hospitals, with several listed in critical condition. Among the injured were:

• Sana, 20, with a head injury
• Hajra, 25, deep head wound
• Saqib, 30, deep cut on arm
• Shazia, 50, head injury
• Mehrab, 18, wrist injury
• Kiran, 48, arm wound
• Sakina, 35, fractured upper arm
• Zahra, 25, facial cut
• Asia, 55, facial cut
• Abeeha, 2, abrasions
• Mohsin Khalil, 26, abrasions
• Zohaib, 20, abdominal injury
• Adnan, 38, and his son Rehan, 16, both with abrasions
• Several others, including Zara, Fahad Majid, Haseeb, and Hayat Ullah, also sustained injuries

Road accidents are tragically common in Pakistan, especially on intercity highways. Poor road conditions, reckless driving, overspeeding, and weak enforcement of traffic laws often contribute to deadly crashes.

Earlier this month, six people died and 27 others were injured in a similar highway accident near Chakri Interchange on the same M2 Motorway.

In February, another bus plunged into a ditch in the same region, killing eight and injuring more than 40 passengers. In August 2024, a bus overturned near the Sial Mor service area, leaving 27 passengers wounded.

Authorities have not yet announced the cause of Sunday’s crash, but investigations are underway.