Rajanpur Bus Accident: At Least 10 Killed, Dozens Injured as Speeding Bus Overturns on Indus Highway

RAJANPUR — At least 10 passengers were killed and dozens more injured when a speeding bus hit a road divider and overturned on the Indus Highway near Bangla Hidayat in Rajanpur district early on Wednesday morning, rescue officials said.

Main News Report

The accident took place at around 5:45am in Rojhan tehsil, where the bus — travelling from Karachi to Dera Ghazi Khan — struck the central divider on a stretch of the highway where construction work was under way and toppled over, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson told reporters. Citing witnesses, the spokesperson said overspeeding was believed to have caused the crash.

Eight passengers died on the spot while three others succumbed to their injuries after being taken to hospital, according to the Rescue 1122 spokesperson quoted by the Press Trust of India. Dawn reported that the dead included seven men, two women and a girl, while Geo News put the death toll at at least 10, with 32 injured.

Rescue 1122 dispatched 10 ambulances and two rescue vehicles to the site, with 35 rescuers taking part in the emergency response, officials said. More than 38 injured passengers were being treated at the District Headquarters Hospital in Rajanpur, where an emergency was declared, while the critically injured were referred to hospitals in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan.

Background Context

The Indus Highway (N-55) is a major north-south artery linking Karachi with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through Sindh and Punjab, carrying a heavy load of passenger coaches and goods transport. Deadly road accidents are a recurring tragedy on Pakistan’s highways and motorways, frequently blamed on speeding, reckless driving, driver fatigue and poor vehicle maintenance, with deteriorating road conditions also contributing, Geo News noted.

The crash came only a day after five people were killed in Multan when a speeding car hit a road divider; all five occupants were residents of Shujaabad, according to Geo News.

Reactions and Statements

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief over the loss of precious lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families, according to a statement from her office.

• The chief minister directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured passengers and prayed for their speedy recovery.
• She ordered the authorities to take immediate action against those responsible for the accident.
• On her instructions, the Rajanpur deputy commissioner reached the accident site to supervise rescue operations, the statement said.

Why This News Matters

The Rajanpur tragedy is the latest in a string of fatal coach accidents on Pakistan’s highways, underlining how routine overspeeding and driver fatigue on long intercity routes continue to cost lives. The Karachi-to-Dera Ghazi Khan route is one of the busiest intercity corridors in the country, and the deaths of women and children among the victims have sharpened public anger over road safety.

While Rescue 1122’s response — 10 ambulances and 35 rescuers on the scene — was swift, the scale of the casualties has again raised questions about enforcement of speed limits and vehicle fitness on national highways.

Future Developments

Police have impounded the bus and started an investigation into the crash. Hospital sources have warned that the death toll may rise, with several of the injured in critical condition.

• The Punjab government is expected to order a formal inquiry into the accident and the role of overspeeding.
• Authorities may face renewed pressure to step up speed checks and rest-stop enforcement on the Indus Highway corridor.
• Funeral arrangements for the deceased were under way as rescue teams cleared the wreckage and restored traffic on the highway.

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