Van Crash in Gilgit-Baltistan Leaves 11 Dead

A passenger van traveling from Gilgit to Yasin Valley plunged into the Yasin River in the Ghizer district on Thursday, resulting in 11 confirmed fatalities and two injuries. Local authorities report that the driver lost control of the vehicle near the Morkah Bridge, causing it to fall into the river. Rescue operations were initiated immediately, and the two survivors were transported to Gupis Civil Hospital for medical treatment.

The regional government has ordered an investigation into the cause of the accident. Officials have directed the district administration and health departments to prioritize the care of the injured and ensure that all necessary medical resources are deployed. The incident remains under review to determine if mechanical failure, environmental factors, or human error contributed to the loss of control.

Yasin Valley

This incident follows a series of high-casualty transport accidents in the region over the past week. On Wednesday, a separate collision in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries. Additionally, a bus collision on the Hazara Motorway last week claimed eight lives, and a separate incident in Punjab resulted in 11 fatalities.

The frequency of these transport-related fatalities raises concerns regarding road safety standards, vehicle maintenance protocols, and infrastructure integrity in mountainous regions. Policymakers are currently under pressure to review transit safety regulations and emergency response capabilities to mitigate the rising trend of fatal road accidents. Future oversight will likely focus on stricter enforcement of traffic laws and improved safety audits for passenger transport services operating on high-risk routes.