2023 Lasbela bus crash

{{Infobox public transit accident

| name = 2023 Lasbela bus crash

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| pushpin_map = Pakistan

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| coordinates = {{coord|26.1973|66.3049|format=dms|display=it}}

| date = 29 January 2023

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| location = Bela Tehsil, Lasbela District, Balochistan, Pakistan

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| country = Pakistan

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| owner = Zahoor and Manzoor Ahmed

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| type = Bus crash

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| vehicles = 1

| passengers = 43

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| deaths = 41

| injuries = 2

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| footnotes = Lasbela accident: bus owners booked {{cite news |title=Lasbela accident: bus owners booked |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2398523/lasbela-accident-bus-owners-booked |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=tribune.com.pk |publisher=The Express Tribune |date=31 January 2023 |language=en}}

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On 29 January 2023, a bus carrying at least 43 people plunged into a ravine and caught fire in Bela Tehsil, Lasbela District, Balochistan, Pakistan.{{cite news |title=Dozens die including children in Pakistan bus and boat crashes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/29/dozens-die-including-children-in-pakistan-bus-and-boat-crashes |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=theguardian.com |publisher=The Guardian |date=29 January 2023}} The crash initially killed 40 people and injured three,{{Cite news |date=29 January 2023 |title=41 killed, three injured in deadly Lasbela bus crash |work=The News International |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1035403-bus-accident-in-lasbela-kills-39-injures-four |access-date=29 January 2023}} one of whom died shortly after. The two remaining survivors were in a "serious" condition.{{Cite news |date=29 January 2023 |title=More than 50 die in two Pakistan accidents |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-64444058 |access-date=30 January 2023}}

Crash

The bus was en route to Karachi from Quetta when it crashed into a pillar of a bridge which led to its fall, according to Lasbela's assistant commissioner Hamza Anjum.{{cite web |title=Local media: Bus crash in southern Pakistan kills 41 |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2023/01/29/local-media-bus-crash-in-southern-pakistan-kills-41/52446 |website=malaymail.com |date=29 January 2023 |publisher=Malay Mail |access-date=30 January 2023}} Head of the local rescue service Asghar Ramazan told Agence France-Presse that the bus was "loaded with containers of oil."{{Cite news |date=30 January 2023 |title=Over 50 perish in twin transport tragedies |work=The News International |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1035533-over-50-perish-in-twin-transport-tragedies|access-date=30 January 2023}}

Most of the bodies of the dead were burned beyond recognition, and were taken to Karachi where DNA testing would be used to establish their identities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/467799-casualties-feared-as-bus-crashes-in-lasbela|title=At least 41 burned alive in ghastly bus accident in Lasbela|website=www.geo.tv}}{{Cite news |date=29 January 2023 |title=40 dead after bus crashes and catches fire in Pakistan |work=Irish Examiner |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41059358.html |access-date=30 January 2023}}

Aftermath

Politicians send condolences and promised investigation will be carried out.{{cite web |title=Bilawal grieves over loss of lives in Lasbela bus crash |date=29 January 2023 |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/29-Jan-2023/bilawal-grieves-over-loss-of-lives-in-lasbela-bus-crash |publisher=The Nation |access-date=30 January 2023}}{{cite web |title=PM saddened over loss of precious lives in Lasbela bus accident |url=https://moib.gov.pk/News/51242 |website=moib.gov.pk |publisher=Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (Pakistan) |access-date=1 June 2025 |language=en |date=29 January 2023}}

Investigation

Lasbela Deputy Commissioner said the cause of the accident was speeding, with the driver losing control of the vehicle while making a U-turn. There were unconfirmed reports that the bus was transporting smuggled Iranian oil. The All Quetta-Karachi Coaches Union blamed the crash on slippery roads and a short circuit in the bus' wiring.{{cite news |last1=Shahid |first1=Saleem |last2=Shawani |first2=Abdul Wahid |last3=Paracha |first3=Abdul Sami |title=Over 50 dead in Bela, Kohat transport tragedies |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1734342 |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=Dawn.com |publisher=Dawn |date=30 January 2023 |language=en}}