Forty people have died after a bus fell into a ravine in Balochistan in Pakistan, local media reported.

The incident took place at Lasbela, a mountainous region in the south of the country.

The bus was carrying 44 passengers.

Lasbela Assistant Commissioner, Hamza Anjum Nadeem, said the bodies of 40 people, including women and children, were recovered, while four injured passengers were rescued.

He said: “The accident happened due to over-speeding and the bus crashed into the pillar of a bridge.

“It caught fire soon after falling into the ravine.”

The officer added that the bodies were charred beyond recognition and were being taken to Karachi for DNA sampling.

He said that after identification, they will be handed over to the victims’ relatives.

The chief minister of Balochistan, Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, expressed his sorrow for the loss of life and ordered authorities to provide the best medical facilities to the injured.