Atleast 20 killed, 21 injured as bus falls into ravine in Diamer

GILGIT: At least 20 people were killed and many others sustained injuries when a passenger bus careened off a narrow mountain road, plunging into a ravine.

According to the local law enforcement authorities, the event occurred early on Friday in the Diamer District of Gilgit Baltistan, in the Yashokhal area along the Karakoram Highway.

There were at least 38 passengers on the unfortunate bus, traveling from Rawalpindi to Gilgit.

Once the disaster report was received, rescue personnel were sent to the crash scene to conduct rescue and relief efforts. Additionally, the accident victims’ remains and injured have been transferred to a hospital in Chilas.

According to the director of the health department, three of the deceased were women.

Rescue operation completed

Diamer Deputy Commissioner Fayyaz Ahmed said that the condition of at least five injured passengers is serious, while two have been shifted to Gilgit city.

“Rescue operation, in which army helicopters also participated, has been completed in the affected area,” he said.

The Diamer DC said he is in contact with the victims’ families.

“The accident took place 20 kilometers away from Chilas city. The bus met with an accident while overspeeding or taking a turn,” said the official.