11 killed after van plunges into river in POK's Gilgit-Baltistan
What's the story
At least 11 people were killed and three others injured after a passenger van plunged into a river in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit-Baltistan region on Thursday night. Regional Chief Minister Amjad Hussain said the crash happened after the driver lost control of the vehicle. Rescue teams worked through early Friday to recover the victims and take them to a nearby hospital.
Official response
Regional Chief Minister expresses condolences
Hussain expressed his condolences over the tragic incident. He also directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for those injured in the accident.
The bodies of all 11 deceased and three injured passengers have been recovered from the river.
Road accidents are a frequent occurrence in both Pakistan and the region under its illegal occupation. Poor road conditions, weak enforcement of traffic laws, and unsafe driving practices are major contributing factors to these incidents.
Safety issues
Bus-truck collision in Pakistan last week
In a similar incident last week, a bus collided with a truck in eastern Pakistan in Pakpattan district, Punjab province. The accident left 11 people dead and injured 33 others.
Before that, a bus collided with a van in southwestern Balochistan province, killing at least 12 people and injuring about two dozen others.