GILGIT: A landslide hit the Karakoram Highway (KKH) near the Gonarfarm area in the Chilas city of Diamer district on Tuesday, burying six vehicles under debris and sweeping two others into the Indus River. No casualties were confirmed.

Diamer Deputy Commissioner Ataur Rehman Kakar said the area is prone to frequent landslides.

He added that all passengers and drivers managed to leave their vehicles and move to safety before the debris hit.

The incident came a day after landslides had already blocked the highway, suspending traffic. The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) reopened the route for light traffic on Monday, but another landslide hit the aera while clearance work was underway on Tuesday.

Travellers managed to abandon their vehicles in time

Rescue teams comprising the local administration, police and volunteers reached the site soon after the incident.

Three of the buried vehicles were recovered, while efforts were under way to retrieve the remaining ones.

An emergency was declared at government hospitals in Chilas, but officials confirmed that no loss of life was reported.

Traffic on both sides of the KKH remained suspended for several hours before being restored for one-way movement.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2025