A heartbreaking accident struck the mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday when a passenger van plunged into the Yasin River near Noh Bridge in Ghizer District. At least 11 people lost their lives while three others were injured in the tragic incident. Rescue officials confirmed the van was heading from Gilgit toward Hundur, a remote village in the upper part of Yasin Valley, when it suddenly went off the road and fell into the fast-flowing river.
Initial reports from the first responders on the scene mentioned five deaths and several injuries. As the recovery operation progressed, the death toll rose steadily. Teams managed to pull 11 bodies and three injured survivors from the water. The injured individuals were immediately shifted to a hospital in Gahkuch, the main town of Ghizer District, for urgent medical care. Search teams continued scanning the river for any other possible passengers who might still be missing.
Rescue work faced serious challenges because of the darkness that set in soon after the accident. Officials stated that limited visibility made the operation far more difficult and dangerous. To strengthen the efforts, a specialized water rescue team was called in from Gilgit to assist local responders in searching the river more thoroughly.
This latest tragedy has once again highlighted the risks of travel on the region’s narrow and often hazardous mountain roads. Just days earlier, another serious crash claimed eight lives when a passenger bus traveling from Hunza to Rawalpindi collided with a trailer near the Havelian Interchange on the Hazara Motorway. Similar fatal incidents have occurred in previous years as well. In 2018, seven men died after a van fell into a ravine near Hoper Valley. In May 2024, a bus traveling from Rawalpindi to Gilgit-Baltistan plunged into a ravine in Diamer District, killing at least 20 people and injuring 21 others.
Authorities have repeatedly stressed the need for stricter safety measures on public transport. The National Highways and Motorway Police have announced campaigns to check vehicles for overloading, valid fitness certificates, proper route permits, and valid driving licenses. Recent drives have also targeted overcharging, faulty tyres, and passengers traveling dangerously on bus rooftops. Local communities in Ghizer and surrounding areas are now calling for improved road conditions and better enforcement to prevent such painful losses in the future. Families of the victims are waiting for further updates as the search and recovery efforts continue under difficult conditions.
