Muzaffarabad – A school van carrying students home in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) fell off a mountain road on Tuesday, injuring at least 29 children and the driver, police confirmed.
The accident occurred near Tambryal Mor, close to Chikar, a hill station in Jhelum Valley, about 46 kilometers from Muzaffarabad. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mirza Zahid Hussain, the van was from Islamia Public School Chikar, and was returning students to their homes after classes.
Chikar, located at an elevation of 1,607 meters, is a popular winter tourist spot. Unlike other regions, schools here do not close for long summer holidays due to the cooler weather.
SSP Hussain said the van lost control while turning on a curve and rolled down the hillside. He added, “The road was narrow, and it appears the driver couldn’t manage the sharp turn, causing the van to fall into the slope.”
Out of the injured, 16 children were taken to Chikar’s Tehsil Hospital, while 13 others, along with the driver, were shifted to the District Hospital in Hattian Bala. The driver, identified as Sajjad Shah, and two children are in critical condition, while the others have non-life-threatening injuries.
A video clip shared by police showed the van lying overturned on a forested slope, with locals helping rescue the children. SSP Zahid noted that tall trees in the area prevented the van from rolling further down, which could have resulted in more serious casualties.
The local administration is investigating the incident. Parents and community members have called for stricter safety checks on school transportation in the region.