Rescue teams recovered six more bodies from the River Jhelum near Garari Bridge in Rawalpindi on Friday. The van had plunged into the river a day earlier, bringing the death toll from the accident to ten.
Details of the Accident
The incident occurred on Thursday when a van carrying over 12 passengers was traveling from Hajera in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The vehicle lost control while navigating a turn near Garari Bridge in the Kahuta area. Initial recovery efforts had retrieved four bodies before operations were halted due to poor visibility at night.
Rescue Efforts Resume
Operations resumed on Friday, resulting in the recovery of six additional bodies, according to District Emergency Officer 1122 Rawalpindi, Sighbatullah. Despite these efforts, three passengers remain missing. Rescue officials warned that the river’s strong current may have carried away some of the victims, complicating the search.
Coordinated Response by Authorities
Commissioner Rawalpindi, Engineer Amir Khattak, directed a coordinated response involving health authorities, Rescue 1122, traffic police, and the tehsil administration. The operation focused on both recovering the bodies and ensuring safety in the affected area.
Previous Accidents at Garari Bridge
This location has witnessed multiple deadly accidents. On August 24 last year, a bus accident at the same bridge claimed 24 lives. Additionally, in October 2024, another bus crash along the Kahuta-Hajera AJK road injured over 14 passengers. These incidents highlight ongoing road safety concerns in the region.
