Tragic turn: Three killed as van plunges into Kabul River

Eight-year-old child, two women among the deceased.

PESHAWAR: Two women and an eight-year-old child drowned in Kabul River near Haji Zai Bridge when a passenger coach plunged into the gushing waterway on the outskirts of the city late Friday morning.

The vehicle was en route from Peshawar to Mohmand Agency via Shabqadar. When it reached Kabul River on Shabqadar Road at around 11:30am, the driver reportedly lost control of the van due to the failure of the vehicle’s brakes.

"The vehicle fell into Kabul River with 17 passengers on board," said Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi. He corroborated that the driver lost control because the brakes failed.

"Of the 17 passengers, 14 were rescued by our teams, but three were missing and their bodies were found after about an hour of rescue efforts. The deceased included two women and an eight-year-old child." They have been identified as Ali Akbar’s wife Zaria, 60, Zahir Shah’s wife Bilqis Bibi, 40, and her eight-year-old son Adil.

All the rescued passengers were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) where they were administered first aid and then discharged.

Locals, however, blamed the accident on the recklessness of the driver who they claimed was overspeeding.

They said the mishap did not occur due to a failure of brakes and that an FIR should be registered against the driver for causing the loss of the three lives and putting others at risk.

The vehicle was also pulled out of the river by rescue workers after tedious efforts due to the strong current and high levels of water.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2014.