GILGIT: As many as 13 people, including three women, were killed and three injured when a passenger vehicle plunged into the Yasen River near Morkah Bridge in Yasin Valley of Ghizer district on Thursday night.
According to rescue sources, the vehicle going to Hondur from Gilgit city carting 26 people went out of control near Morkah Bridge during rain and fell into the river, resulting in the deaths of 13 passengers.
Local volunteers took part in the rescue operation and shifted the bodies of the deceased to a hospital, while rescue activities were continuing at the accident site.
Two injured passengers were rescued and shifted to the Aga Khan Heath Centre of Yasen.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the tragic accident.
He directed the district administration, rescue agencies and relevant health officials to ensure the immediate shifting of the injured to nearby hospitals and provide them with the best possible medical treatment using all available resources.
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