SWAT: Police arrested the principal of a private school, the owner and driver after a bus overturned in Lalko area of Matta tehsil, leaving four students killed and about 30 others injured.

The schoolchildren had visited the scenic Gabin Jabba valley in the bus, which met accident on Saturday on the way back when the vehicle developed some technical fault.

Initially, three children were killed and 31 were injured. With another injured child, who succumbed to injuries, the total number of the dead reached four.

The deceased students were identified as Daud Khan, Hilal Anwar, Bilal Saeed and Syed Wasi Shah.

Soon after the accident, Deputy Commissioner Junaid Khan ordered an inquiry into the matter and arrest of the bus driver and school principal. Police said that the bus had no fitness certificate.

Kalakot police station SHO Tariq Khan said that the school principal, Mujeeb Ali, bus owner Sajjad Ali and driver Rozi Gul were arrested and cases were registered against them.

The deputy commissioner also ordered inspection of all vehicles carrying children of all private schools in Swat. “A committee has been formed comprising representatives of Regional Transport Authority, motor vehicle, traffic police and private schools union that will inspect all school vehicles and will ensure that all the vehicles are in good condition,” he said.

He said that the fit vehicles would be issued fitness certificate and others would be banned. He said that an FIR would be lodged on the spot against the drivers for carrying students on the roofs of vehicles.

On the other hand, Private School Management Association announced closure of all schools on Monday to mourn the death of four students. According to the association, all private schools in the district will remain closed on Monday.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan expressed grief over the death of the students. He expressed sympathies with the families of the deceased students and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

He directed the management of the hospitals to provide the best medical facilities to the injured students.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2021