At least 23 people lost their lives and dozens were injured in two separate road accidents in Pakistan on Saturday, once again underscoring the country’s persistent challenges related to road safety, speeding, and hazardous driving conditions.

The first incident occurred in Balochistan’s coastal Gwadar district, where a passenger coach overturned on the Makran Coastal Highway near the Hudd Goth area of Ormara. According to local authorities, nine people were killed on the spot, while 36 others sustained injuries, several of them critical.

Police said the Karachi-bound coach was travelling from Jiwani when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. Preliminary investigations pointed to overspeeding as the primary cause of the crash. Superintendent of Police Aslam Bangulzai stated that excessive speed prevented the driver from maintaining control, causing the bus to overturn violently on the highway.

Rescue teams and local police rushed to the scene soon after the accident and began relief operations. The injured and deceased were transported to Ormara Tehsil Hospital, where hospital officials confirmed that multiple passengers were admitted in serious condition. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as some victims remain critically injured.

The passenger coach belonged to a private transport company, Al Usman. Police said further investigations were underway to determine whether negligence, vehicle condition, or violations of safety regulations contributed to the tragedy. Details regarding the driver’s conduct and the company’s compliance with transport rules are being examined.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the victims. He directed the Gwadar deputy commissioner to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical care. He also ordered that ambulances be arranged to transport the bodies of the deceased to their hometowns for burial.

The second deadly accident took place in Punjab’s Sargodha district, where at least 14 people were killed after a mini-truck plunged into a dry canal amid dense fog. The incident occurred near Ghalapur Bangla in Kot Momin tehsil during early morning hours when visibility was extremely poor.

Rescue officials said the truck was carrying 23 passengers travelling from Islamabad to Faisalabad to attend a funeral. Due to severe fog, several motorways had been closed, prompting the driver to take an alternative local route. Authorities said the low visibility caused the vehicle to veer off the road and fall into the canal.

Seven people died at the scene, while another seven later succumbed to their injuries at nearby hospitals. Women and children were among the deceased, all of whom were residents of Islamabad.

Emergency response teams carried out rescue operations and shifted the injured and bodies to the local Tehsil Headquarters hospital. Medical staff provided emergency treatment to the survivors, some of whom were reported to be in serious condition.

Authorities in Punjab reiterated the need for heightened caution during adverse weather conditions, especially during winter fog. Officials also stressed the importance of enforcing traffic safety regulations, limiting passenger overloading, and ensuring that drivers adhere to speed limits and safety protocols.

The twin tragedies have renewed concerns over road safety across Pakistan, where accidents caused by speeding, poor infrastructure, fog, and inadequate enforcement continue to claim lives each year.