Rajanpur bus crash: Karachi to Dera Ghazi Khan bus overturns on Indus Highway, at least 9 dead
The bus hit a road divider near Rojhan and overturned. Rescue officials put the toll at nine to ten dead and more than 30 injured, 13 of them critical; Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered action against those responsible.
At least nine people were killed and more than 30 injured when a passenger bus travelling from Karachi to Dera Ghazi Khan hit a road divider and overturned on the Indus Highway in Rajanpur district on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
What happened
The crash happened near Bangla Hidayat in Rojhan, at the southern end of Rajanpur district where the Indus Highway enters Punjab from Sindh. Rescue officials told ARY News that eight passengers, including women and children, died at the scene and a ninth died in hospital. Geo News, also citing rescue officials, reported at least 10 dead and 32 injured. ARY put the number of injured at 39, with 13 in a critical condition.
Geo News reported that the bus was speeding when it struck the divider. No official cause has been announced.
Hospitals and help
The dead and injured were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Rajanpur, and an emergency was declared there and at other hospitals nearby. Families looking for passengers should contact the DHQ Hospital Rajanpur or call Rescue 1122.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief over the deaths and offered condolences to the families. She directed the Rajanpur deputy commissioner to go to the site and oversee the rescue, ordered the best possible treatment for the injured and immediate action against those responsible, Geo News reported.
A second deadly crash in two days
The Rajanpur crash came a day after five young men died in Multan when a speeding car hit a divider on Bosan Road and caught fire. All five were from Shujabad, according to Geo News.
The Indus Highway (N-55) is the main road link between Karachi and the cities of south Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and long-distance buses on the route often run overnight. Geo News noted that speeding, driver fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance and worn road surfaces are behind most crashes on Pakistan's roads.
Travelling on the route?
If you are taking an intercity bus, wear a seat belt where one is fitted and report a driver who is speeding to the National Highways and Motorway Police helpline 130. Planning the drive yourself? Our fuel cost calculator works out the cost of the trip at today's petrol price.
This story will be updated as officials confirm the final toll.
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