At least 35 people have died and dozens injured in two tragic bus accidents in Pakistan, with the first involving Shiite pilgrims returning from Iraq and the second occurring hours later in Punjab province.

These two devastating bus accidents, resulting in at least 35 deaths, highlight the persistent issues of road safety and vehicle maintenance in Pakistan, a country plagued by frequent and often fatal crashes. The first accident occurred as Shiite pilgrims returned from Iraq, while the second claimed more lives just hours later, further emphasizing the urgent need for improvements in traffic regulations and driver accountability. This series of tragedies raises alarms not only for the families affected but also for the broader public, as these incidents reflect a systemic problem on the nation's roads.

The initial incident happened in the Lasbela district of Baluchistan province, where a bus carrying Shiite Muslim pilgrims returning from Iraq plunged into a ravine. This tragic event resulted in at least 12 fatalities, with 32 others sustaining injuries. The accident occurred on the Makran coastal highway, reportedly due to brake failure, leading the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Hours after the first disaster, another bus accident took place in the Kahuta district of Punjab province, resulting in the deaths of 23 individuals, including two women and a child. Eyewitness accounts of this incident indicate that the bus was traveling to the Pakistan-administered disputed region of Kashmir when it fell from the Panna bridge. There are conflicting reports about the total number of fatalities; while some sources report 22 deaths, others claim up to 29 lives were lost.

Rescue operations at both accident sites were complicated and required heavy machinery to lift fallen wreckage and search for any individuals trapped beneath.

The string of tragedies comes in the wake of another fatal bus crash in Iran that killed 28 Pakistani pilgrims just days prior. That incident involved a bus that overturned and subsequently caught fire, attributed to a faulty braking system, further emphasizing the need for serious reform in vehicle safety measures.

Many Shiite Muslims travel to Iraq's holy city of Karbala annually to commemorate Arbaeen, which marks the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein. This pilgrimage typically sees thousands of individuals journeying across borders, increasing the demand for safe transportation during this significant religious event.

Bus accidents in Pakistan are not uncommon, often resulting from a combination of driver negligence, poor vehicle maintenance, and violations of traffic regulations. Each year, numerous lives are lost due to such crashes, with local authorities and transportation agencies facing criticism for failing to implement stricter safety measures.

In response to these devastating incidents, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have both extended their condolences to the families of the victims. Their statements reflect a shared concern over the ongoing issue of road safety in the country and the need for urgent action to prevent further tragedies.

The frequency of fatal road accidents has raised calls from both the public and advocacy groups for more attention to traffic safety. Critics argue that without decisive action, the toll from preventable incidents will continue to rise, highlighting the cycle of despair faced by families who lose loved ones in these horrific accidents. Recently, two separate bus accidents in Pakistan resulted in at least 35 fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for traffic safety reforms.