Hafizabad bus accident: 5 killed, more than 27 hurt as bus to Chiniot Ijtema plunges into drain

Five people were killed and more than 27 injured when a bus carrying passengers to the Tablighi Ijtema in Chiniot plunged into a drain near a flyover in Hafizabad, Punjab. The death toll rose to five on Thursday 29 October, Geo News reported, citing Rescue 1122.

What happened

The bus was travelling from Raiwind, near Lahore, to Chiniot for the Ijtema when it left the road near the flyover and fell into the drain. Rescue teams reached the site, pulled passengers out of the vehicle and moved the injured to hospital. Rescue officials said the crash appeared to have been caused by overspeeding.

The names of the victims and the condition of the injured had not been released by Thursday morning. This story will be updated when the district administration or Rescue 1122 gives more detail.

Not the first such crash in the district

Hafizabad has seen this before. In August 2022, at least seven people were killed and 24 injured when a passenger bus fell into a pond near Solangi Kharl, on the outskirts of Jalalpur Bhattian in Hafizabad district; rescue officials blamed speeding then too. In June this year, seven people were hurt when a speeding passenger van went into a canal near Dharampura in Lahore.

If you are travelling to the Ijtema

Thousands of people are on the roads between Lahore, Raiwind and Chiniot for the gathering. A few things that reduce the risk on long bus trips:

• Ask the driver to slow down. Punjab Traffic Police rules require bus and truck drivers to keep to speed limits, keep vehicles roadworthy and not overload them, and passengers are within their rights to insist.
• Avoid overloaded vehicles, including passengers on roofs or standing in aisles.
• Save 1122 in your phone. Rescue 1122 is the emergency number for ambulances and rescue across Punjab.
• Report reckless driving to the motorway or traffic police helpline (130 on motorways and national highways).

Speeding fines for buses are issued as e-challans in Punjab; our guide shows how to check an e-challan online.