On Friday, a tragic accident occurred in the Gilgit Baltistan region of northwest Pakistan. A passenger bus carrying 43 people skidded off a mountainous terrain and fell into a ravine, killing at least 20 people and injuring 21 others.
The incident happened in the Diamer district on the Karakoram Highway around 5:30 am.
The bus was traveling from Rawalpindi to Hunza when the driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to overturn and land near the banks of the Indus River.
The injured were immediately taken to the Chilas hospital for medical aid. Rescue efforts, including army helicopters, were put in place and have been concluded.
However, the death toll is expected to rise further as many of the injured are in critical condition. Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed his condolences and directed the administration to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq declared an emergency at the Chilas Hospital after the accident. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his grief on the loss of lives and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families.
He instructed the authorities to provide the injured with “every possible medical treatment”.
The Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed his condolences on the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
