10 drown after jeep plunges into Neelum river

Rescuers managed to retrieve two bodies out of 10 people

MUZAFFRABAD:

Ten tourists drowned after their jeep went out of control and fell into a river in the Neelum Valley.

Rescuers managed to retrieve two bodies out of the 10 people. The accident took place in Phalawi village of Sharda Tehsil in Upper Wadi.

According to the police, 14 people were in the jeep, including 12 tourists and two locals, including the driver. Four injured persons had been shifted to a hospital for medical treatment.

A search is under way for the eight people who were swept away by the Neelum river's strong currents. Police said those who were swept away were unlikely to survive as the accident-prone jeep plunged down a deep ravine into the Neelum river.

Also read: At least six killed in Neelum Valley road mishap

The accident occurred when the jeep was returning from Tau Butt at around 8:30pm.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the death of tourists in a traffic accident in Neelum Valley. In a message, he expressed sympathy with the bereaved families. He said he was deeply grieved by the loss of precious human lives.

He further prayed to Allah Almighty for the departed souls and for patience to the heirs of the deceased.