At least five people were killed and 24 others injured when a passenger bus plunged into a deep ravine near Talagang in Punjab during the early hours of Wednesday.

According to Rescue 1122, the accident occurred around 2:15am when the bus, traveling from Rawalpindi to Bahawalpur, diverted from the motorway due to dense fog and used the Talagang–Fatehjang Road instead.

Driver Loses Control on Winding Road

Rescue officials said the bus lost control near Dhoke Pathan village, located along the Sowaan River, while navigating a sharp bend. The vehicle plunged into a 100-foot-deep ravine, killing five passengers on the spot, including the driver.

Victims Identified

Four of the deceased were identified as 56-year-old driver Abdul Sattar, Zia Ahmed (40) from Kotli Sattiyan, Mohammad Ishaq (33) from Lodhran, and Ramzan (45) from Multan. The fifth victim remains unidentified.

Also Read: Dense fog shuts motorways across Pakistan, traffic suspended

Rescue Operation and Medical Response

Rescue 1122 deployed 15 personnel and five emergency vehicles, completing the rescue operation after more than two hours. The deceased were shifted to THQ Hospital Talagang, while the injured were taken to City Hospital Talagang.

District Rescue Officer Dr Mohammad Atique confirmed that all injured passengers are receiving medical treatment. Talagang Assistant Commissioner Suleman Mansha and DSP Malik Azi visited the hospital and directed staff to ensure proper care.

Rising Road Accidents in Punjab

The crash follows another deadly incident on December 31, 2025, when a bus-van collision on the Jhang–Faisalabad Road killed 17 people. Punjab Rescue 1122 reported responding to 1,081 traffic accidents in 24 hours, resulting in 24 deaths and over 1,250 injuries amid dense fog.