Zhob, Pakistan—A passenger bus plunged into a deep mountain ravine early Friday, leaving at least 40 people dead. The vehicle veered off the highway in the Dana Sar area near the border between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

Local authorities confirmed the death toll as rescue teams struggled to access the wreckage. The bus had been carrying commuters from Quetta to Peshawar when it lost control on a sharp bend.

Sanaullah Sherani, head of the Zhob district emergency center, described the scene as the vehicle fell roughly 80 feet into the gorge. Rugged terrain and the depth of the ravine complicated the initial recovery efforts for emergency crews.

Reports indicate the bus was significantly overcrowded at the time of the crash. It had allegedly taken on passengers from a secondary vehicle that had broken down earlier in the journey.

Witnesses and local officials pointed toward excessive speed as a primary factor in the loss of control. Investigators are now reviewing the operational history of the transport firm involved.

The injured were pulled from the wreckage and transported to nearby medical facilities. At least eight survivors remain under hospital care, with several listed in critical condition.

Government officials issued statements expressing grief and directed local agencies to prioritize treatment for those who survived the fall. Law enforcement teams arrived on-site to begin the process of identifying victims.

Road safety remains a persistent crisis in this region. Poor infrastructure, the absence of enforced speed limits, and the use of aging, overloaded vehicles frequently lead to lethal accidents on mountain passes.

Authorities have yet to finalize the passenger manifest, which may shift the total count of casualties. Recovery operations continue as crews use hydraulic cutters to reach individuals still trapped within the mangled metal.

The highway remains partially restricted as heavy machinery attempts to stabilize the area around the ravine. Investigations into the exact mechanical state of the bus prior to the crash are ongoing.