51 killed in Pakistan transport tragedies

At least 51 people were killed in two separate transport accidents in western Pakistan yesterday, when a bus plunged off a bridge and a boat carrying a class of children capsized.

Forty-one are so far confirmed dead after their bus crashed into a ravine in southwestern Balochistan province, while at least 10 students died in the boating accident in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said.

Local police citing witnesses said the driver might have been fallen asleep. The bus was  travelling overnight between provincial capital of Quetta and the southern port city of Karachi.

The officials said the victims were churred beyond recognition. The bus was reportedly carrying a total of 48 passengers when it hit a pillar on the bridge and careened off course.

The victims of the boat tragedy were aged between seven and 14. A total of 17 were rescued alive from the reservoir by yesterday afternoon. Three people were missing.

authorities have launched investigations to find out the reasons behind both accidents.