42 killed as passenger bus falls into ravine, catches fire in Pakistan's Balochistan province
Islamabad (PTI): At least 42 people, including women and children, were killed on Sunday after a speeding passenger bus crashed into a pillar of a bridge and fell into a ravine in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, according to officials.
The bus was carrying 48 people from provincial capital Quetta to Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, when it crashed into the pillar and subsequently careened into a ravine before catching fire in the Lasbela area, Assistant Commissioner Lasbela Hamza Anjum said.
"The speeding bus crashed into the pillar of a bridge while taking a U-turn near Lasbela and fell into a ravine and then caught fire," he told the media.
Anjum said till now 42 bodies have been recovered from the accident site.
Only three people, including a child and a woman, could be rescued alive, the official said, adding that the death toll could rise as the injured were in critical condition.
"There were a total of 48 people on the passenger coaster," he said.
He said the bodies were charred beyond recognition and DNA testing will be done for the identification of the deceased.
Police and rescue officials were busy in pulling out bodies and shifting them to the nearby hospitals, according to officials.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah expressed grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
Such horrific road accidents happen frequently in Pakistan especially in areas where roads and highways need repairs and no proper safety measures are followed while awarding licenses and permits to commercial vehicles.
Passenger buses are frequently crammed to capacity and seatbelts are not commonly worn, meaning high death tolls from single-vehicle accidents are common.
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Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi says 2025 year of proud milestones for India
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said 2025 was a year of proud milestones for India as he highlighted Operation Sindoor, saying it became a symbol of pride for every Indian and showed the world that the country does not compromise on its security.
Addressing his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' address, the last in 2025, Modi said the country's impact was visible everywhere in the outgoing year.
"2025 was a year of proud milestones for India. Whether in national security, sports, scientific innovation or on the world's biggest platforms, India's impact was visible everywhere," he said.
The prime minister said during Operation Sindoor, images of love and devotion toward 'Maa Bharti' (Mother India) emerged from every corner of the nation and people expressed their emotions and gratitude in their own unique ways.
"Operation Sindoor' became a symbol of pride for every Indian. The world witnessed clearly that today's India does not compromise on its security," he said.
India carried out precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the military confrontation.
Modi said the same spirit was witnessed when national song 'Vande Mataram' completed 150 years.
"I had urged you to share your messages and suggestions using the hashtag '#VandeMataram150', and our fellow citizens participated in this campaign with immense enthusiasm," he said.
The prime minister noted that 2025 has truly been a memorable year for sports, with the men's cricket team clinching the ICC Champions Trophy and the women's cricket team winning the World Cup for the first time.
Besides, India's daughters scripted history by winning the Women's Blind T20 World Cup.
The tricolour flew high with pride after a dominant victory in the Asia Cup T20 and para-athletes brought home a haul of medals at the World Championships, he said. Modi also said that India has taken a giant leap in the field of science and space, and Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station.
Today, he said, the world looks toward India with great hope and the biggest reason for this expectation is the country's Youth Power.
"Nations across the globe are deeply impressed by our achievements in science, constant innovations, and the expansion of technology," he said.
The prime minister said the number of cheetahs in India has increased to more than 30 in 2025.
Taking note of various events held during the year, he said in 2025, faith, culture, and India's unique heritage all came together.
"The Prayagraj Mahakumbh organised at the beginning of the year astonished the entire world. At the end of the year, the 'Dhwajarohan' ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya filled every Indian with pride," he said.
Modi said the excitement towards 'swadeshi' was also evident among one and all and people are purchasing only those goods that bear the sweat of an Indian and the fragrance of Indian soil.
"Today, we can proudly say that 2025 has given India even greater confidence. It is also true that this year we had to face natural disasters at very many places. Now, the country is ready to move forward in 2026 with new hopes and new resolutions," he added.
In the 129th edition of Mann Ki Baat, PM Narendra Modi says, "2025 was also a memorable year in terms of sports. Our Men's Cricket team won the ICC Champions' Trophy. The women's cricket team won the World Cup for the first time. The daughters of Bharat created history by winning… pic.twitter.com/iXRGLaPdyK
— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2025
