“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,” Pakistan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“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 Ministry said that Pakistani officials are closely in contact with the Chinese Embassy for coordination and facilitation.