At least 37 students killed in Pakistan bus plunge after brakes fail during school trip

At least 37 students, two teachers and their school’s vice principal were killed in a bus accident in Pakistan.

Another 47 other students and teachers suffered serious injuries when the bus overturned on a motorway and plunged into a ditch while returning from a school trip.

The accident happened in Kallar Kahar, around 100 miles east of the capital Islamabad, after having visited a salt mine.

Tragic accident: At least 37 students, two teachers and their school's vice principal were killed in the crash in Kallar Kahar, around 100 miles east of Islamabad

The driver is said to have lost control of the bus near Salt Range after the brakes failed, the Pakistan Daily Times reported.

 The students, aged between 12 and 14, were from Millat Grammar School in Faisalabad and the vice principal killed has been identified as Mr Hafeez.

Over 100 students were on board the vehicle and one of the rescuers, Kamran Rasheed, told Dawn,com that the bus had to be cut open so the bodies of the victims and those injured could be taken out.

Crash: The bus overturned on a motorway in Kallar Kahar and plunged into a ditch while returning from the school trip to Salt Range

Over 100 pupils were on board: The students, aged between 12 and 14, were from Millat Grammar School in Faisalabad

The injured passengers were rushed to Fauji Foundation Hospital in Kallar and as 20 children died at the scene, the other fatalities were recorded in the medical centre later due to blood loss, a hospital source told the Pakistan Observer.

Pakistan has one of the world's worst records for deadly traffic accidents, blamed on poor roads, badly-maintained vehicles and reckless driving.

Kallar Kahar is a sub-division of Chakwal District in Punjab and is renowned for being a popular tourist destination.

Poor road conditions: Pakistan has one of the world's worst records for deadly traffic accidents