Tanveer : Tragedy Strikes: Six Dead, 10 Missing in Neelum River Jeep Plunge

– jeep plunges into Neelum river
– Six killed, missing after jeep.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

In a devastating incident in the picturesque Neelum Valley, a passenger jeep carrying 24 individuals met with a tragic fate, resulting in the loss of six lives and leaving 10 individuals, predominantly women and children, missing. The accident took place in the early hours of Sunday, when the overloaded jeep plunged into the icy waters of the Neelum River while en route from Kel to Taobutt, the valley’s final village.

Details of the Incident

According to ASI Imdad Ali Shah, the police officer overseeing the Janawai village post, the ill-fated jeep was overcrowded, with seven tourists from Multan and 11 members of the Gujjar Bakarwal community inside the vehicle, along with one nomad and five locals on the rooftop. Tragedy struck near Parri Karimabad as the jeep attempted to navigate a steep section of the road, swerving to avoid a herd of sheep and goats on one side, only to have the edge of the road collapse under its weight, causing it to plummet 300 feet into the river.

Survivors and Casualties

Despite the harrowing circumstances, all six individuals on the rooftop managed to escape before the jeep plunged into the river. One survivor recounted in a social media video how the edge of the road gave way under the vehicle’s weight. Among the tragic casualties were Tanveer, Hibba Ayesha, Ammar Ali, Mashal Bibi, Javed Akhtar, Saima Shabnam, and Sudesh from the Multan-based family, as well as Aman, Phullan Jan, Faheem Jan, Mewa Jan, Surayya, Safeer, Nadeem, Hafeez, Beena, and Waheed from the Gujjar Bakarwal community.

Rescue and Recovery Efforts

Following the accident, rescue operations were promptly initiated. By evening, the bodies of Javed Akhtar, Mashal Bibi, Sudesh, Aman, Phullan Jan, and Safeer had been recovered. However, the wreckage of the vehicle was yet to be located, raising concerns about the fate of the 10 missing individuals. Despite the slim chances of survival, rescue efforts were temporarily halted due to darkness but are set to resume at dawn.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of overcrowded vehicles and the importance of adhering to safety regulations, particularly in treacherous terrains such as the Neelum Valley.