Van Falls in AJK, 25 Children Injured
A van carrying at least 25 schoolchildren and a driver plunged into a gorge near Chikar hill station in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, injuring everyone onboard. The incident quickly made national headlines and added to the growing concern surrounding School Van Accident News. This tragic event highlights the urgent need to improve road safety measures in mountainous areas.
Multiple Injuries Reported
According to AJK police, the injured were rushed to DHQ Hospital Hattian Bala and THQ Hospital Chikar. SP Mirza Zahid confirmed that the driver and two children are in critical condition.
Mountain Roads Remain Risky
Accidents in mountainous areas are frequent due to poor roads, reckless driving, and overcrowded vehicles. Overloaded buses and vans are a common cause of these incidents.
Similar Incident in May
In May, five policemen lost their lives when their vehicle fell into a ravine in Dhirkot tehsil. The victims included AD Zakir Awan and IG’s Reader Ali Bukhari. The incident took place in Lasdana, a tourist spot in Bagh district, and added to the growing wave of road tragedies making headlines alongside School Van Accident News across the region.
Road Accidents in Numbers
In 2024, Pakistan saw 6,233 traffic accidents, with 4,231 fatal ones, a 33% drop from 2023.
In AJK, 409 road accidents were reported in 2024, compared to 391 in 2023.
Out of these, 111 were fatal in 2024 versus 115 fatal in 2023.
