1. Search for missing persons Neelum river success
2. Neelum river missing persons search unsuccessful.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Rescuers in Muzaffarabad encountered significant challenges on Monday as they worked tirelessly to recover the bodies of 10 missing persons and locate the wreckage of a vehicle that plunged into the Neelum River. Despite their efforts, officials reported no success in their search.
The devastating accident took place on Sunday when a Land Cruiser jeep, en route to Taobutt, veered off course and fell into the icy-cold waters of the river near Karimabad Parri village, more than 190 kilometres northeast of Muzaffarabad. The vehicle was carrying a total of 24 people, with 18 individuals inside, including the driver, and six passengers on the roof.
Tragically, only three individuals managed to survive the ordeal. The driver and a four-year-old boy were able to make it to the riverbank, while a tourist successfully swam to safety. The remaining occupants of the vehicle were not as fortunate, with only six bodies being recovered by the end of Sunday.
Rescue Operation Continues Despite Challenges
On Monday, volunteers and divers from Rescue 1122, working under the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), resumed their efforts to retrieve the bodies and locate the vehicle’s wreckage. Utilizing rafts and tubes, they navigated the frigid waters of the river, facing the daunting task of searching for the missing persons.
Despite their unwavering determination, the rescuers faced numerous obstacles in their mission. The icy temperatures of the water made it difficult to sustain prolonged periods in the river, hampering their search efforts. Additionally, the use of magnets to locate the vehicle’s wreckage yielded no results, leading officials to speculate that the vehicle may have been swept away by the powerful river currents.
Hope for Survivors Fades
Deputy Commissioner Neelum, Raja Arif Mahmood, expressed the grim reality of the situation, stating that the chances of finding survivors after more than 30 hours had passed were slim. However, he remained cautiously optimistic, acknowledging that miracles can happen and expressing hope for potential survivors to be found.
As the search and rescue operations continued into the evening, the bodies of three tourists from Multan were transported to their hometown, accompanied by the lone survivor, Tanveer. The funerals of the victims were solemnly held in Taobutt village, where they were laid to rest.
Tragic Incident Claims Lives of Two Children in Neelum Valley
In a separate unfortunate incident in Neelum Valley on Monday, a 14-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl tragically drowned in the Neelum River near Kuchhar village. The boy, identified as Shahid, lost his balance and fell into the water while retrieving a fishing line, prompting the girl, Ayesha, to attempt a rescue.
Despite her brave efforts, Ayesha was swept away by the swift currents of the river, along with Shahid. The authorities lamented the lack of supervision and caution exercised by the children’s parents, highlighting the dangers of the treacherous waters. As evening fell, the bodies of the young victims remained unaccounted for.
With rescue operations set to resume on Tuesday, the communities of Neelum Valley remain united in their efforts to bring closure to these tragic events.
Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2024
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missing persons Neelum river
find missing persons Neelum river.
