HATTIAN BALA: Two cousins died in a tragic accident while another person sustained injuries after their car plunged into a deep gorge near the Sai Bagh petrol pump in Hattian Bala, Azad Kashmir, late Monday night.
Rescue sources identified the deceased as Taimur Nazir and Awais Rahim. Both victims died on the spot due to the severity of the injuries in crash. Meanwhile, rescue teams shifted the injured man, identified as Waheed, to the District Headquarters Hospital in Hattian Bala for medical treatment.
The three young men belonged to Nakan Mughalan village, near Chakothi in Azad Kashmir.
According to officials, the accident completely destroyed the vehicle after it fell into the gorge. Soon after the incident, rescue personnel and local residents launched a rescue operation to recover the victims and transport the injured survivor to hospital.
Hospital authorities said Waheed remained under treatment but his condition was out of danger.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the accident. However, officials said an investigation was underway to determine the circumstances that led to the vehicle falling into the ravine.
Road accidents involving vehicles plunging into deep valleys and ravines remain common in the mountainous areas of Azad Kashmir due to narrow roads, sharp turns and difficult driving conditions.
Local residents have repeatedly urged authorities to improve road safety measures in the region to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
