In a tragic accident in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), 15 people died, and two others were injured when their jeep plunged hundreds of feet down to the Neelum River bank on Wednesday, allegedly due to a technical fault.
The overloaded Muzaffarabad-bound jeep was carrying 16 passengers, including the driver, all from Lawat Bala, a village 100 kilometers from Muzaffarabad. The vehicle veered off the road near Devlian, 35 kilometers from Muzaffarabad, and tumbled down to the riverbank, stopping short of the river.
Deputy Commissioner Muzaffarabad Nadeem Ahmed Janjua indicated that a broken tie-rod caused the driver to lose control. Rescuers found 14 people dead at the scene, while two children survived with critical injuries.
Victims included Muhammad Ashraf, 50; Ghulam Yasin, 60; Muhammad Farid Butt, 24; Salma, 16; Salim Butt, 12; Resham Jan, 65; Majid Khan, 27; Tariq Mir, 25; Zardana Bibi, 45; Zeenat Bibi, 13; Saima Bibi, 40; Rafique Butt, 19; Ishrat Bibi, 14; and Tanzeel Butt, 12. Survivors were Ahsan Farooq, 10, and Nabeel, 7. Ulfat Bibi, 45, a resident hit by the tumbling vehicle, was also injured.
All injured were taken to CMH Muzaffarabad, where Ahsan later succumbed to his injuries. Nabeel remains in critical condition, but Ulfat is out of danger.
Road accidents are common in AJK’s mountainous areas, often blamed on faulty public transport vehicles altered to carry more passengers. These vehicles, despite their condition, receive fitness certificates from authorities.
On June 9, 17 people drowned when a similarly modified vehicle plunged into the Neelum River.
