Bus Explodes, Plunges into a Ravine Killing 12 in Pakistan

A bus carrying workers and engineers exploded and the fell down a ravine in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Some reports said the explosion was a bomb attack but the official statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that there was “a mechanical failure resulting in leakage of gas that caused a blast.” Nine of the workers killed were from China.

A Chinese spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initially made statements to the effect that a bomb caused the explosion but later updated their comments saying there was the “possibility of an accident.”

Here is the statement released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

“This morning a bus carrying Chinese workers in Khyber Pakhunkhwa Province, plunged into a ravine after a mechanical failure resulting in leakage of gas that caused a blast. Further investigations are underway.

According to preliminary reports, nine Chinese nationals and three Pakistanis lost their lives. Chinese workers and accompanying Pakistani staff were proceeding to their work place for an ongoing project.

The local authorities are providing all possible assistance to the injured.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely in contact with the Chinese Embassy for coordination and facilitation.

The Government and people of Pakistan extend sincere condolences to the families of Chinese and Pakistani workers who lost their lives in the incident. We also pray for quick recovery of the injured.

Pakistan and China are close friends and iron-brothers. Pakistan attaches great importance to safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan.”