In a tragic incident early Friday morning, at least 20 people were killed and 21 others injured when a passenger bus skidded off a narrow mountainous road and tumbled into a ravine in the Yashokhal area on the Karakoram Highway in Diamer district, Gilgit Baltistan. The accident occurred around 5:30 am, according to local police reports.
The bus, which was en route from Rawalpindi to Gilgit, was reportedly carrying 38 passengers when the disaster struck. Authorities suggested that the accident might have been caused by overspeeding or a perilous turn taken by the bus. The precise location of the crash was about 20 kilometers from the city of Chilas.
Emergency services were quickly mobilized to the site, and with the help of army helicopters, a rescue operation was launched to retrieve the injured and deceased from the wreckage.
Diamer Deputy Commissioner Fayyaz Ahmed confirmed that the rescue efforts were complete and that the injured had been transported to a hospital in Chilas. Among the injured, the condition of five passengers was reported as serious, with two being shifted to a larger facility in Gilgit city for advanced treatment.
The health department noted that the casualties included three women. In the wake of the tragedy, emergency protocols were activated at Chilas hospital to cope with the influx of casualties.
Expressing his sorrow over the devastating event, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery for the injured. He also directed the concerned authorities to ensure that all possible medical assistance was being provided to the injured.
Similarly, Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan offered his condolences and instructed local administration and rescue teams to provide immediate medical support to those affected. The government spokesperson announced that an emergency had been declared at Chilas hospital to facilitate the care of the injured.
The incident has drawn significant attention to the need for stringent safety measures on the Karakoram Highway, which is known for its treacherous terrain, making it a perilous route for drivers.
The community and officials alike are now calling for increased oversight and improved road safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, the families of the victims are being contacted, and support is being arranged as the entire region mourns the loss of lives and hopes for the recovery of the injured.
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