CHITRAL: Nine persons drowned when a jeep plunged into the Yarkhoon River after hitting the safety railing of a suspension bridge early on Sunday.

The accident occurred in Unawuj village of Yarkhoon valley.

The vehicle was heading to the valley from Chitral city with eleven persons on board, including the driver, with its roof also packed with heavy load.

All those died including the driver belonged to different villages of Yarkhoon valley.

Haji Ali of Pakpattan Punjab and Mohammad Irshad of Lone village managed to swim to safety.

Assistant commissioner, Mastuj, Shah Adnan told Dawn that the accident occurred as the vehicle was overloaded and it reportedly staggered in the middle of the bridge before falling into the river.

The deceased were identified as Israr Ahmed, former member of the district council, and his daughter-in-law, Didaruddin and his wife, Mughal Khan (driver), Umeed Nabi, Ali Ejaz, Sultan Khan and Iftaj Khan.

Rescue 1122 district in-charge Zafaruddin told Dawn that six bodies trapped inside the vehicle had been recovered.

He said a rescue team reached the spot after six hours as the area was situated at a distance of about 200 kilometres from the Chitral city.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2021