GILGIT: Seven persons were killed and three sustained injuries when a jeep plunged into the Indus River near Chilas area of Diamer district on Tuesday.

Total 13 passengers were onboard the ill-fated jeep. Condition of the two injured passengers was said to be critical.

According to police, the jeep was on way to Chilas, the district headquarters of Diamer, from Khanbari valley.

The accident occurred when the driver lost control over the steering.

The police said as a result of the incident, seven passengers were killed who were identified as Tika Khan, Javed, Sanaullah, Saeed Rahmat, Abdul Wahab, Otaal and his son. While three passengers identified as Hadi, Asbar and Noor Ahmed sustained injuries.

Police said Rescue 1122 and local volunteers arrived at the scene and started rescue operation.

The injured were shifted to the district headquarters hospital, Diamer.

All the passengers onboard the jeep were residents of Khanbari valley.

The local people demanded of the authorities to carry out fitness test of the vehicles plying locally.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2019