Mountain Road Disaster: Passenger Van Plummets Into Deep Ravine Leaving Nine Dead In Northern Areas

Gilgit, Pakistan—Nine people died instantly on Saturday morning when a passenger van veered off a precarious mountain road and plunged hundreds of feet into a deep ravine in Pakistan’s mountainous Northern Areas.

The accident occurred along the Karakoram Highway as the vehicle was navigating a narrow, winding section of the route toward Gilgit. Local police officials reported that the driver apparently lost control while negotiating a sharp bend, sending the van over the unprotected edge.

Rescue personnel from the local administration and Pakistan Army launched an immediate operation, though the extreme depth and rugged terrain of the gorge severely hampered recovery efforts. Medics confirmed that all nine occupants, including two women and one child, suffered fatal injuries upon impact.

The route remains notorious for frequent deadly accidents due to poor infrastructure, lack of safety barriers, and hazardous weather conditions affecting road surfaces. Grieving family members began arriving at a local hospital by afternoon to identify the deceased victims amid chaotic scenes.

Local community leaders renewed urgent calls for the federal government to widen critical sections of the highway and install necessary safety barriers. Officials stated that a formal investigation would be opened to determine the precise cause of the catastrophic plunge.

Crews struggled against fading daylight and falling rocks as they attempted to retrieve the severely mangled wreckage from the bottom of the ravine. Traffic along the vital artery remained suspended for hours while emergency teams cleared the roadside accident zone.

The bodies of the victims are being prepared for transport to their respective hometowns for burial rites. The incident marks the second major transport tragedy in the region within the last month, underscoring ongoing systemic safety failures.

Investigations continue into whether mechanical failure or excessive speed contributed to the disaster. The remote community remains in deep mourning following the devastating loss of nine residents.