Accident – Death – Obituary News :
On a fateful Wednesday morning, a passenger jeep carrying 16 individuals from Lawat Bala village met with a devastating accident near Devlian village in Muzaffarabad. The jeep, bound for Muzaffarabad, veered off the road and crashed into the banks of the Neelum River, resulting in the loss of fifteen lives and leaving two others critically injured.
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Details of the Accident
According to Muzaffarabad Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Ahmed Janjua, the passenger jeep lost control after its tie-rod broke, causing it to plunge off the road. The vehicle first struck the bypass before tumbling down to the riverbank, narrowly avoiding falling into the Neelum River.
Tragically, almost all passengers were thrown from the jeep onto the rocks before it came to a halt near the riverbank, turning into a twisted mass of metal. Rescuers arrived at the scene to find fourteen individuals already deceased, with two young boys suffering from critical injuries.
Victims and Survivors
The deceased individuals were identified as Mohammad Ashraf, Ghulam Yasin, Mohammad Farid Butt, Salma, Salim, Resham Jan, Majid Khan, Tariq Mir, Zardana Bibi, Zeenat Bibi, Saima Bibi, Rafique Butt, Ishrat Bibi, and Tanzeel. The survivors, Ahsan Farooq and Nabeel, were also identified among the victims.
Additionally, Ulfat Bibi, a local resident of Devlian area, sustained injuries when the falling vehicle struck her while she was cutting grass by the riverside. All three injured individuals were rushed to CMH Muzaffarabad for treatment, where Ahsan tragically succumbed to his wounds.
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Government Action and Concerns
Following the tragic incident, AJK PM Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq requested a detailed report on the accident from divisional commissioner Sardar Adnan Khurshid within 24 hours. The premier also held a high-level meeting to discuss preventive measures to avoid such road accidents in the future.
The rising frequency of road accidents in AJK has been attributed to outdated vehicles that are often altered to maximize passenger capacity. These alterations, done in collusion with motor vehicle authorities, have raised concerns about the safety of vehicles on the roads.
Addressing Safety Concerns
Transporters and government officials have highlighted the need for strict MOT tests to ensure the roadworthiness and safety of all vehicles, particularly public transport vehicles, operating in the region. The prevalence of altered vehicles, issued with questionable fitness certificates, has raised alarm bells about the lax enforcement of safety standards in the transport sector.
It is imperative for authorities to crack down on the practice of altering vehicles and issuing fake fitness certificates to prevent further tragedies on the roads of AJK. The safety and well-being of passengers should be the top priority in the transportation sector to avoid such heartbreaking incidents in the future.
Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2024
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Jeep crashes into AJK riverbank
Jeep crashes into riverbank in AJK.
