MUZAFFARABAD: At least 23 people were killed when a minibus plunged from a mountain road into a river in a remote area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir late on Friday.

The accident took place at Nausehri, some 45km north of Muzaffarabad, when the minibus driver lost control.

The vehicle veered off the road, falling 100 metres into the gushing river, government and rescue officials said.

“At least 23 people were killed and three others injured in the accident,” local government official Ashfaq Gilani told AFP.

“We have only found three bodies and three wounded people. More than 20 other passengers and the wreckage of the bus have been swept away by the river,” he said.

“We have presumed them dead as there is no chance of their survival,” Mr Gilani said.

Rescuers said the terrain was difficult and they would resume the search for the remainder of the passengers at dawn on Saturday.

Published in Dawn September 24th, 2016