A passenger bus on Friday drove off a narrow mountain road and fell into a ravine in a remote section of Gilgit Baltistan’s Diamer district, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and 21 injuries, according to police.
The incident happened early on Friday morning, at about 5:30 am, near the Yashokhal region on the Karakoram Highway in Diamer, according to the police.
The bus was in route to Gilgit from Rawalpindi. There were at least 38 persons on board. Rescue crews were sent to the accident scene after it was reported. A hospital in Chilas has received the deceased and the injured individuals.
According to the director of the health department, three of the deceased were women.
At least five injured passengers are in critical condition, according to Diamer Deputy Commissioner Fayyaz Ahmed, who spoke with local media. Two of the injured have been transported to Gilgit city.
He said, “The rescue operation in the affected area, in which army helicopters also participated, has been completed.”
The Diamer DC claimed to be in communication with the victims’ relatives.
The disaster happened 20 kilometers from the city of Chilas. The official stated that the bus had an accident while turning or exceeding speed limits.
In addition to expressing sorrow and condolences for the deaths inflicted by the bus accident, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif prayed for the wounded parties’ quick recovery. The premier also gave the relevant authorities instructions to give the injured people all medical treatment feasible.
Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan instructed the rescuers and government to give the injured people appropriate medical attention.
