Officials say a van has fallen from a mountain road into a river in the Pakistan-administered disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, killing 16 people, mostly children
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan — A van fell from a mountain road into a river in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, killing 16 people, mostly children, and injuring several others, Pakistani police and government officials said Monday.
The incident happened in the Neelam Valley on Sunday, according to a statement released by the disaster management authority. The dead included nine children and four women, while four people were injured when they jumped from the van before it fell into the fast-flowing Neelam River, it added.
Kashmir is divided between neighboring India and Pakistan, with both claiming the entire territory.
Authorities said divers had so far found six bodies and the search for the other bodies was still underway. According to police, there was no chance of finding any survivors.
Road accidents are common in Pakistan due to poor road infrastructure and disregard for traffic laws and safety standards.
Last month, 28 people were killed and 20 others injured when a speeding passenger bus fell from a highway into a rocky ravine in the southwestern Baluchistan province.
A tragic accident occurred in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Monday when a van carrying passengers plunged into a river, resulting in the deaths of 16 individuals. The majority of the victims were children, adding to the heartbreak and devastation of the incident.
The van was traveling along a mountainous road in the Neelum Valley region when it lost control and veered off the road, plummeting into the river below. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest that the driver may have lost control due to the treacherous road conditions and steep terrain.
Rescue teams and local authorities rushed to the scene to assist in the recovery efforts. The bodies of the victims were retrieved from the river, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The families of the victims were left in shock and mourning as they received the devastating news of their loved ones’ tragic deaths.
The incident has once again highlighted the need for improved road safety measures in the region, particularly in mountainous areas where accidents like this are all too common. The lack of proper infrastructure, maintenance, and enforcement of traffic laws can contribute to such tragic incidents, putting innocent lives at risk.
The government has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident and take necessary steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future. They have also offered condolences to the families of the victims and pledged support for those affected by the accident.
As the community mourns the loss of 16 lives, including many young children, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for better infrastructure and regulations to prevent such senseless tragedies from occurring. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this difficult time.
