Islamabad, May 2, 2025: A tragic road accident shook the Matta Banda area of Lower Kohistan on Thursday when a car plunged into a deep ravine, claiming the lives of eight family members — a man, his spouse, their four children, and two relatives.
The vehicle, which was en route from Gilgit Baltistan (GB) to Punjab, veered off course when the driver lost control while negotiating a sharp bend on the treacherous Karakoram Highway.
The car tumbled down the ravine, leading to the devastating loss, as reported by local media.
Rescue 1122 teams, police officials, and local residents rushed to the scene after an intense one-hour effort to reach the crash site.
The bodies were carefully recovered and transported to the District Headquarters Hospital in Pattan for legal and medical processing.
District Police Officer (DPO) Taimur Khan confirmed to the press, “We successfully moved all eight deceased to the nearby hospital, from where they will be transported to Rawalpindi.”
Khan explained that the fatal mishap occurred on a notoriously risky stretch of the highway running alongside the Indus River.
He praised the swift and dedicated efforts of the rescue workers who worked tirelessly to retrieve the victims and arrange their transfer to the medical facility.
The deceased were identified as Rawalpindi resident Asif Iqbal, his wife Memona Iqbal, their four children, and two close family members, Aisha Siddique and Bushra Waseem.
DPO Khan emphasized, “We consistently remind drivers to remain highly vigilant while passing through the mountainous regions of Kohistan along the Karakoram Highway, given its dangerous twists and turns.”
Rescue 1122 official Malik Sharif also highlighted the concerning accident rates in the Upper and Lower Kohistan sections of the highway.
He pointed out that most drivers, especially those unfamiliar with the steep and winding roads, underestimate the challenging conditions, resulting in frequent deadly crashes.
This tragic incident serves as yet another painful reminder of the perils of mountain driving on the Karakoram Highway and the critical importance of cautious driving.
Local authorities are urging all motorists to follow safety guidelines strictly to prevent future tragedies on this crucial but hazardous route.
