26 killed, 80 injured when school bus overturns in Pakistan

2011-09-27 03:45:27 GMT+7 (ICT)

KALAR KAHAR, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least 26 young people were killed on Monday evening when a school bus carrying more than 100 people overturned in Pakistan's Punjab province, police said.

The accident happened near the town of Kallar Kahar, located in Chakwal District, where the students had joined a school picnic. They were on their way back to Millat Grammar School in the city of Faisalabad when it happened.

More than 100 young people were on board the bus when it overturned and plunged into a ditch due to a suspected brake failure. Police said at least 26 people between the ages of 12 and 20 were killed while around 80 others were injured. Some were seriously injured.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his 'profound grief' over the loss of life. "The President prayed Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved families to bear the loss with fortitude," a statement issued by state-run media said. It added that the president directed officials to provide the best medical treatment to those injured.

Road accidents are common in Pakistan with more than 5,500 fatalities in 2007, according to the most recent figures released by national police. Many accidents are the result of poor infrastructure and the disregard of traffic laws.

On Friday, seven people were killed and twelve others were injured when a passenger bus fell down a trench in northwestern Pakistan. The accident occurred in the Ashiri Drah area in the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-09-27

Very sad.