The death toll from a van accident in the river Jhelum near Garari Bridge, Rawalpindi, has risen to 10. Rescue teams recovered six more bodies on Friday. The van had plunged into the river on Thursday, carrying more than 12 passengers from Hajera in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
On Thursday, four bodies were recovered, but the operation was halted due to low-light conditions. Rescue officials feared the river’s strong current might have carried away some passengers. The search resumed on Friday, leading to the recovery of six additional victims.
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District Emergency Officer 1122 Rawalpindi, Sighbatullah, confirmed that three passengers remain missing. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate the remaining individuals. The van reportedly lost control while navigating a turn near Garari Bridge in the Kahuta area.
Commissioner Rawalpindi, Engineer Amir Khattak, directed a coordinated operation involving health authorities, Rescue 1122, traffic police, and tehsil administration. Officials aim to ensure the rescue mission is swift and all passengers are accounted for.
The area has witnessed previous accidents, including a fatal crash on August 24 last year at the same bridge that killed 24 people. Another bus accident on Kahuta-Hajera road in October 2024 left over 14 passengers seriously injured, raising safety concerns in the region.