In a devastating incident, at least 20 lives were lost and 21 individuals sustained injuries as a passenger bus careened off a narrow mountain road, hurtling into a ravine in the remote reaches of Diamer district, Gilgit Baltistan. The authorities disclosed this harrowing news, sending shockwaves through the region.
According to the accounts provided by local law enforcement, the calamity unfolded at the Yashokhal area along the Karakoram Highway in Diamer, during the early hours of Friday at approximately 5:30 am.
The ill-fated bus, ferrying passengers from Rawalpindi to Gilgit, was reported to have been carrying 38 individuals at the time of the tragic mishap.
Following the distressing accident, rescue operations were promptly mobilized, with teams dispatched to the scene. The wounded survivors and the deceased were swiftly transported to a hospital in Chilas for urgent medical attention.
Tragically, among the deceased were three women, as confirmed by the Health Department director.
Providing an update on the situation, Diamer Deputy Commissioner Fayyaz Ahmed informed Geo News that while the rescue efforts have concluded, the condition of at least five injured passengers remains critical. Two of the injured have been transferred to Gilgit city for advanced medical care.
“The accident, occurring 20 kilometers from Chilas city, appears to have been a result of overspeeding or a misjudged turn,” stated the official.
In the wake of the catastrophe, expressions of sympathy and solidarity poured in from political leaders. Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif conveyed his heartfelt condolences and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured, urging the relevant authorities to extend all possible medical assistance to those affected.
Similarly, Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan conveyed his condolences, directing the administration and rescue teams to expedite medical aid to the injured.
Responding to the crisis, the government’s spokesperson for Gilgit Baltistan announced the imposition of an emergency at Chilas hospital, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for medical support.
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