21 die as bus travelling to Hunza falls into gorge

GUNAR, Gilgit-Baltistan: At least 21 people were killed and 22 others injured in a tragic accident when a bus travelling from Rawalpindi to Hunza fell into a gorge early Friday morning near Gunar Farm in Diamer area.

Rescue officials said the passenger bus veered off the road while taking a turn near Yashukul Das and fell into a gorge around 5am on the Karakoram Highway. Rescue operations were swiftly initiated with teams rushing to the accident site to assist the injured and retrieve the deceased.

The Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister’s spokesman said the injured were rushed to the Chilas Regional Headquarters Hospital for medical treatment. Emergency measures were implemented in hospitals in Chilas to ensure prompt care of victims.

Diamer Deputy Commissioner Fayyaz Ahmed confirmed the death toll, saying that among the deceased were 17 men and three women. He said three bodies and 21 injured were shifted to the Regional Headquarters Hospital. Three of the injured were referred to Gilgit by road while those critically injured would be transferred to Gilgit by helicopter.

GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed deep sorrow and regret over the incident emphasising the need for timely medical assistance and support for the affected families.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, meanwhile, expressed grief over loss of precious lives in the bus accident and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured and issued orders to provide all possible medical aid to the injured.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, expressing solidarity and praying for speedy recovery of the injured. Our sympathies are with the families of the deceased. May Allah grant them patience in this hour of sorrow, he added. — INP