A tragic accident shook Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley on Friday morning when a tourist vehicle plunged into the Neelum River near Chilhanna, claiming six lives. The victims, five women and one man, were reportedly residents of Muzaffarabad and were on a family trip when the disaster struck.
According to police reports, the vehicle was carrying seven people when it veered off the road and tumbled into the fast-flowing river. Rescue teams rushed to the scene and managed to recover six bodies, while one child remains missing. A large-scale search operation is currently underway to locate the child.
Officials say the exact cause of the crash is still unknown. However, early speculation suggests that the vehicle may have slipped off the narrow and winding mountain road, which is considered risky, especially during the tourist season. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what led to the fatal plunge.
Rescue teams, joined by local volunteers and district administration officials, acted swiftly to respond to the emergency. Despite their efforts, the swift current of the river has made the search operation difficult. However, teams remain active and committed to finding the missing child.
The sudden loss has deeply saddened the local community and raised concerns about road safety in the region. With summer drawing thousands of tourists to the scenic valley, locals are urging the government to improve road infrastructure and install more safety barriers on dangerous turns.
As the search continues, families of the victims are left in grief, mourning yet another tragic incident in a region that has seen multiple fatal road accidents in recent years.