PM expresses condolences over Gilgit tourist bus accident

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and offered condolences on Sunday over a road accident on the Karakoram Highway, which led to the deaths of at least five people. A passenger bus carrying tourists fell into a ravine from the Karakoram Highway earlier today. The accident took place near Thalichi, Diamer district, about 40km away from Gilgit. Five people were killed and a dozen others were reportedly injured. Reacting to the incident, the prime minister expressed sympathy with the aggrieved families and offered his condolences. He directed the relevant authorities in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) to provide immediate relief and ensure an effective rescue response. He further directed relevant departments in the federal government to assist in the rescue and relief operation besides ensuring medical aid for the injured passengers.  Read Over 1,000 road crashes reported in Punjab  Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured, he asked the relevant authorities to determine the cause behind the accident.  Earlier this year, at least 25 people were killed when a passenger bus collided with a car on the Karakoram Highway and fell into a ditch near the Shitial area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Upper Kohistan district.  The bus was reportedly on its way to Rawalpindi from Gilgit.  According to eyewitness statements, the bus had collided with the car due to overspeeding, causing both vehicles to plummet into the ditch.