Pakistan bus blast: China asks Pakistan to probe bus ‘blast’ that killed 12
Nine Chinese nationals are amongst the at least 12 people who have died after the bus they were travelling in plunged into a ravine in northern Pakistan, officials said.
The Pakistani foreign ministry told Al Jazeera that the bus fell into the ravine in the Khyber-Paktunkhwa province. The ministry added the crash was due to a mechanical failure resulting in leakage of gas that caused the blast.
“According to preliminary reports, nine Chinese nationals and three Pakistanis lost their lives. Chinese workers and accompanying Pakistani staff were proceeding to their workplace for an ongoing project,” said the statement.
“The local authorities are providing all possible assistance to the injured.”
According to reports from Reuters, the bus was carrying over 30 Chinese engineers to the site of the Dasu dam in Upper Kohistan.
China calls for probe
China has condemned the blast and asked Pakistan to investigate the attack, the Chinese foreign ministry said.
In its statement, the Pakistani foreign ministry said it “is closely in contact with the Chinese Embassy for coordination and facilitation”.
“Pakistan and China are close friends and iron-brothers,” said the statement.
“Pakistan attaches great importance to safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan.”
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