CHILAS: Local authorities said that around 20 people were killed when a bus plunged into a deep valley in Pakistan’s mountainous region on Friday. The driver of the bus lost control of the vehicle on a bend near Chilas, in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, around dawn, falling into a stony ravine.
A local elder announced the news the mishap from the loudspeaker of the mosque and appealed the people to donate blood for the wounded people. Local authorities said that rescue operation has been completed. It said that among the 21 wounded, the condition of five people is very critical. As per the report, the vehicle was travelling from Islamabad to Gilgit city.
Earlier, media reported that at least 15 people were killed and 22 wounded when a bus fell into a deep ravine in Chilas, a city in Gilgit-Baltistan in the wee hours of Friday, local media reported. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and shifted the dead and wounded to Chilas Hospital. Rescue sources stated that the death toll might increase further as majority of the wounded were in critical condition.
An emergency was also declared at Chilas Hospital following the accident, said the spokesperson Gilgit-Baltistan government. The spokesperson confirmed the death toll and stated the bus was carrying more than 35 passengers to Hunza.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister GB expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the bus accident. They issued directives to provide special medical treatment to the injured people.
