Chakwal: 27 dead as bus falls down bridge

CHAKWAL: At least 27 people died and 69 others were injured when a bus fell down a bridge near Talagang on late Wednesday evening.

Rescue sources said that a bus carrying over 60 members of Tableeghi Jamaat from Kohat to Raiwind fell down a bridge due to brake failure near Dhok Pathan, Talagang in Chakwal district.

A private channel reported that due to the absence of rescue services, people resorted to self-help in shifting the injured to the hospitals.  Moreover, the hospital reportedly lacked basic health facilities, fearing the death toll could rise.

Following the reports of the accident, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of human lives. He extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and directed the administration to provide best healthcare facilities to the injured.

The bus met the accident when it was on the way to Lahore to take part in a religious congregation in Raiwind. The first phase of Raiwind Tablighi Jamaat Ijtima concluded on Sunday. Thousands of people attended the congregation and participants departed for their homes after the concluding session.