Tragedy in GB
At least three members of a family tragically lost their lives, while three others remain missing after their car plunged into a river stream in the Shinbar area of District Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan, on Sunday. The devastating incident occurred as the family was returning home from a wedding ceremony.
According to Rescue 1122 official Nizamuddin, the car carrying seven individuals fell into the stream, resulting in the deaths of six people and leaving one injured.
Rescue teams managed to recover the bodies of three family members from the water, while a large-scale search operation is currently underway to locate the three missing individuals.
The deceased have been identified as Ghulam Abbas, Sher Baz Ali, and Zohaib Ahmad — three brothers who were returning from Bardas after attending a wedding. The missing individuals have been named as Sharafat Hussain, Muhammad Hussain, and Aleem. Kashif Hussain, the sole survivor, sustained injuries and was immediately transported to a hospital in Gilgit for advanced medical treatment.
Sajid Ali, spokesperson for the Nagar district police officer, confirmed the incident and added that the vehicle was en route to Chalt Bala when it veered off the road and plunged into the river. He said the bodies of the deceased had been shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Nagar.
In response to the incident, Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq expressed deep sorrow and said that Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has taken serious notice of the tragedy. The chief minister has directed all relevant departments — including the Home Secretary — to mobilise maximum resources for the rescue and recovery operation.
Following these orders, rescue teams were promptly dispatched to the accident site, and efforts continue to locate the remaining missing persons.
The terrain in Gilgit-Baltistan is notoriously difficult, especially during harsh weather, often contributing to fatal road accidents. The region’s narrow roads, poor visibility, lack of protective barriers, and insufficient maintenance make driving extremely risky.
Such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for better road infrastructure and safety protocols in Gilgit-Baltistan to prevent the recurrence of such tragic losses.
