ISLAMABAD — GILGIT: Eleven people were killed and two injured when a passenger vehicle plunged into a river in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district on Thursday. According to local police, a passenger van was en route to Ghizer’s Yasin Valley from Gilgit on Thursday evening when the driver lost control near Morkah Bridge, causing the van to plunge into the Yasin river.
Police initially said rescue teams retrieved the bodies of 10 passengers, including two women. They also rescued three injured passengers, including a child, who were taken to the Gupis Civil Hospital for treatment. In an update, police said the death toll had risen to 11, including an infant, while two were injured.
Police said the deceased and injured were residents of Yasin Valley, adding that an investigation was under way to identify the cause of the incident. GB Chief Minister Amjad Hussain expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the accident. He directed the district administration, rescue agencies, and relevant health department officials to ensure the injured were immediately transported to nearby hospitals and to utilise all available resources to provide the best possible medical facilities.