Talagang Bus Crash Kills 5, Injures 24 as Vehicle Falls into Ravine Near Punjab

CHAKWAL, Punjab — A tragic bus accident near Talagang left five people dead and 24 others injured early Wednesday, according to Rescue 1122 officials. The incident occurred at approximately 2:15 a.m. on a winding stretch of the Talagang-Fatehjang Road, when a passenger bus traveling from Rawalpindi to Bahawalpur lost control and plunged into a 100-foot-deep ravine near Dhoke Pathan village on the banks of the Sowaan River.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Qazi Muhammad Akram confirmed that among the deceased was the bus driver, 56-year-old Abdul Sattar. The other identified victims include 40-year-old Zia Ahmed from Kotli Sattiyan, 33-year-old Mohammad Ishaq from Lodhran, and 45-year-old Ramzan from Multan. The fifth victim remains unidentified.

Authorities said the bus driver had diverted to the Talagang-Fatehjang route because the motorway was closed due to dense fog, a common hazard in Punjab during winter. The winding and narrow section of the road contributed to the loss of control, resulting in the devastating plunge.

A swift rescue operation ensued, with 15 Rescue 1122 personnel and five emergency vehicles responding to the scene. Officials worked for more than two hours to rescue passengers and transport them to safety. The deceased were taken to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Talagang, while the injured were admitted to City Hospital Talagang, where they are currently receiving treatment. District Rescue Officer Dr. Mohammad Atique confirmed that all injured passengers were being examined and treated.

Talagang Assistant Commissioner Suleman Mansha and Deputy Superintendent of Police Malik Azi visited the injured at the hospital, ensuring that medical care and support were provided. AC Mansha directed hospital staff to leave no stone unturned in treating the victims.

This tragic accident comes days after another deadly collision in Punjab, where over 14 passengers were killed and 16 others injured in a head-on crash between a bus and a van on Jhang-Faisalabad Road on December 31, 2025. The death toll from that accident later rose to 17 as more victims succumbed to their injuries.

Authorities have since closed several key motorways in Punjab due to traffic safety concerns and dense fog, warning drivers to exercise extreme caution. Rescue 1122 reported responding to 1,081 road traffic accidents in Punjab within 24 hours, claiming 24 lives and leaving 1,251 people injured, underscoring the urgent need for road safety awareness in Pakistan.

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