Over 20 killed, 21 injured in Karakoram Highway bus crash

Rescue sources warn of potential increase in death toll as most injured remain in critical condition

GILGIT:

A passenger bus met with a fatal accident on the treacherous Karakoram Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district on Friday, leaving at least 20 people dead and 21 others wounded, according to rescue officials.

According to the Diamer district rescue officer, Shoukat Riaz, the ill-fated bus, operated by a private company, was en route from Rawalpindi to Gilgit when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle near Gunar Farm.

The bus veered off the road and overturned, coming to rest close to the banks of the Indus River. The incident occurred around 5:30 in the morning.

Rescue 1122 and other emergency response teams initiated a rescue operation and transported the injured to Chillas Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Rescue sources said the death toll might rise further as the majority of the injured were in critical condition.

An emergency was declared at the hospital, with an urgent appeal for blood donations for the injured.
According to the spokesperson of the Gilgit-Baltistan government, the rescue operation has been successfully concluded following the bus accident.

Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, revealed that among the casualties, three women lost their lives. Faraq further disclosed that the ill-fated bus was carrying a total of 43 passengers at the time of the accident.

In a statement to AFP, Azmat Shah, a police official from the city, confirmed the completion of rescue operations. Shah highlighted the critical condition of five out of the 21 injured individuals.

Read At least 11 dead as devotees' truck falls into ditch in Hub

In addition, Shah mentioned that local religious leaders announced the unfortunate incident via the mosque's loudspeaker, urging the community to contribute blood for the wounded.

A press release from state-run Pakistan Television outlined the involvement of Pakistan Army rescue teams in the evacuation efforts.

Ten individuals were airlifted to the Gilgit-Baltistan Combined Military Hospital for urgent medical attention. The statement emphasised the ongoing commitment of the army to providing immediate aid to the victims of the accident.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief on the loss of lives and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families. He also directed that the injured be provided with “every possible medical treatment”.

G-B Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed deep grief and sorrow over the unfortunate accident.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

Earlier in April, at least 11 people were killed and more than 30 others injured in an accident involving devotees going to Shah Noorani shrine near Hub.

The devotees' truck was going from Thatta to Shah Noorani shrine in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district when it went out of control and fell into a ditch near Ghulam Hussain Chatta Hotel in Hub.