Islamabad: At least 12 people, including nine Chinese workers, died when their bus plunged into a ravine in Kohistan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The accident occurred after a mechanical failure resulted in leakage of gas that caused a blast in the bus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
The bus carrying workers of the Dasu dam project and several other passengers were injured in the mishap.
Though Pakistan Foreign office confirmed that number of casualties at 12, Deputy Commissioner Arif Khan put the loss of lives at 13.
According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, further investigations are underway.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely in contact with the Chinese Embassy for coordination and facilitation, Chaudhari added.
The Spokesperson said the government and people of Pakistan extend sincere condolences to the families of Chinese and Pakistani workers who lost their lives and pray for quick recovery of the injured.
Meanwhile, China has asked Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident.
Condemning the attack, Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian urged Pakistan to ‘severely punish the perpetrators’ and “earnestly protect the safety of Chinese nationals, organisations and projects’ in the country.
