Over the weekend, two devastating tragedies in Pakistan shed light on the inadequate protocols for transport safety in the country. A bus accident in Balochistan and a boat capsizing in KP both resulted in a staggering number of casualties.
The bus accident near Bela in Khuzdar was reportedly caused by speeding, resulting in 41 lives lost to the fire that engulfed the vehicle. The boat capsizing in Kohat, with 37 reported dead, highlights the dangers of overcrowding and lack of safety protocols.
These tragedies raise several pressing questions that require immediate attention to prevent future loss of life. Speeding on the roads and highways of Pakistan is a well-known problem, with nearly 6,000 fatalities in road accidents in 2020-21, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The presence of trained traffic police and emergency vehicles, including firefighting equipment, is crucial in reducing the risk of accidents. It’s also imperative that the illegal practice of transporting smuggled petroleum in passenger vehicles is curbed to prevent these vehicles from becoming fire hazards on wheels.
“The weekend brought two heartbreaking disasters in Pakistan that illuminated the nation’s deficient transportation safety standards. In Baluchistan, a bus accident claimed numerous lives, while a boat tragedy in KP resulted in an alarming number of casualties.
These unfortunate events have raised serious concerns about the safety measures in place for public transportation in the country.
According to reports, the bus accident occurred due to a reckless driver who lost control of the vehicle, causing it to plunge into a ditch. The accident took the lives of dozens of passengers, many of whom were families traveling for the holiday weekend.
The tragedy was made even more devastating by the lack of emergency services available to provide assistance to the victims.
The boat capsizing in KP was a result of overloading and poor weather conditions. The boat was carrying far more passengers than it was designed to hold, making it vulnerable to the rough waters of the river.
The passengers, who were mainly villagers traveling to a nearby town, were caught off guard when the boat suddenly overturned. Despite the efforts of rescue teams, many lives were lost in the tragedy.
These tragedies have sparked outrage among the public and raised questions about the government’s efforts to ensure the safety of its citizens. The transportation infrastructure in Pakistan has long been in dire need of improvement, with many roads and waterways in poor condition and lacking basic safety features.
The government must take immediate action to address these issues and implement stricter regulations to ensure the safety of those who rely on public transportation.
In the boat tragedy in Kohat, the lack of divers and life jackets for passengers only adds to the tragedy. It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure the safety of boats and other leisure equipment at tourist spots by regularly checking for proper maintenance and preventing overloading.
It’s time for a change in our attitude towards safety and to learn from these incidents by conducting thorough official probes. Until then, we will continue to witness similar disasters. It’s high time we take a stand to make safety a priority in Pakistan, before it’s too late.
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