14 die as passenger jeep plunges into river

MANSEHRA: At least 14 people were killed and several others injured when a vehicle plunged into a river in Kohistan district on Sunday, police said.

District police officer Kolai-Palas Mohammad Iftikhar said a passenger jeep carrying 21 passengers was on its way to Said Ghaziabad from Ghardar through Palas-Ziarat road when the driver while negotiating a sharp bend, lost control over the jeep. It skidded off the road and plunged into the River Indus.

Seven passengers jumped out of the jeep before it fell into the river and the rest drowned, said the officer.

“We have retrieved eight bodies. Search for six other bodies is still under way. Police personnel and locals are taking part in the rescue operation. The seven who jumped out were injured and have been taken to a hospital,” he said.

Some of the deceased were identified as Shamsur Rehman, Amal Fareed, Gulrung, Shad Mohammad and Gul Bahadur as well as the wife, daughter and son of Shahroom whose bodies were yet to be found.