Tragic Accident Claims Eight Lives in Lower Kohistan

In a devastating incident, a vehicle plummeted into a ravine in the Matta Banda vicinity of Lower Kohistan on Thursday. The crash resulted in the deaths of eight family members, including a husband, wife, and their four children.

Reports indicate that the car was en route from Gilgit Baltistan (GB) towards Punjab. The driver reportedly lost control while navigating a sharp bend on the Karakoram Highway, causing the vehicle to careen into the ravine.

Following an arduous hour-long operation, personnel from Rescue 1122, local law enforcement, and community volunteers successfully reached the site of the tragedy. The deceased were transported to the District Headquarters Hospital in Pattan to complete the necessary legal procedures.

District Police Officer (DPO) Lower Kohistan, Taimur Khan, informed the media that “All eight bodies have been moved to a nearby medical facility, from where they will be transported to Rawalpindi.”

The DPO further noted that the accident took place on a particularly treacherous section of the highway, positioned alongside the Indus River. He expressed gratitude for the rescue teams’ efficiency in recovering the bodies and ensuring their transport to the hospital.

The victims have been identified as Asif Iqbal, a resident of Rawalpindi, his wife Memona Iqbal, their four children, and two additional relatives, Aisha Siddique and Bushra Waseem.

Khan added, “We have consistently advised drivers and motorists to exercise heightened vigilance while traversing the mountainous areas of Kohistan along the Karakoram Highway.”

Malik Sharif, an official from Rescue 1122, stated that the rate of fatal accidents on the Karakoram Highway, especially within the Upper and Lower Kohistan regions, remains alarmingly high. He attributed this to drivers from other regions being unfamiliar with the demanding road conditions.