GILGIT: At least 20 people were killed and 21 others injured on Friday after a passenger bus skidded off and overturned on Karakoram Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district, rescuers and administration confirmed.
Diamer District Rescue Officer (DRO) Shoukat Riaz informed that the Gilgit-bound bus, with 43 passengers on board, was coming from Rawalpindi. The driver lost control of the bus, belonged to a private company, and overturned near Gunar Farm at around 5:30am,” the DRO said.
In response, Rescue 1122 and other emergency teams swiftly launched a rescue operation, transporting the injured to Chillas Hospital for urgent medical attention. Rescue sources warned of a potential rise in the death toll due to the critical condition of many injured individuals.
The district rescue officer said that the number of injured was initially 35 but many succumbed to their injuries.
An emergency was declared at the hospital, with an urgent call for blood donations to aid the injured.
According to GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, three women were also among the dead. He noted that a total of 43 passengers were on the bus.
Speaking to AFP, city police official Azmat Shah said, “Rescue operations have been completed. Among the 21 injured, the condition of five is very critical.”
The local ulema announced the news of the accident from the mosque’s loudspeaker and urged people to donate blood for the injured, Shah added.
Following the announcement from mosques, a large number of people reached the hospital to donate blood for the injured. The local volunteers also helped transfer the injured and bodies to the hospital.
According state-run Pakistan Television, rescue teams of the Pakistan Army also aided the evacuation operation with 10 people moved to the Gilgit-Baltistan Combined Military Hospital via helicopter.
It added that the army was continuing to provide immediate assistance to the accident’s victims.
Following the accident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, extending his sympathies to the affected families. He emphasized the need for comprehensive medical care for the injured.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed his grief and conveyed his condolences to the victims’ relatives.
In a statement on X, he prayed for the deceased and for the speedy recovery of the wounded.
GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan also mourned the tragic incident, expressing profound grief and sorrow.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi joined in expressing heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives.
