Seven killed as tourist jeep plunges into ravine near Fairy Meadows in Chilas

CHILAS: At least seven people, including a local driver and six tourists, were killed after a jeep plunged into a deep ravine on the road linking Fairy Meadows with the Karakoram Highway in district Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan region, police said on Monday.

The vehicle was returning from Fairy Meadows toward the Karakoram Highway when it veered off the road and fell into a gorge in the Diamer district, according to police officials.

Among the dead were two tourists from Peshawar and four from Punjab, while the driver was a resident of Darel in Diamer district, police said.

The accident occurred in a remote mountainous area, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

Police said the crash site was located at considerable depth below the road, making access difficult for emergency responders.

Local residents began rescue operations on a self-help basis shortly after the incident, while rescue teams from Diamer were dispatched to the area upon receiving reports of the crash.

Police said that the body of the driver had been recovered, while efforts were continuing to retrieve the remaining victims from the ravine.

Road accidents are common in G-B’s mountainous region, where narrow roads, difficult terrain and challenging driving conditions frequently contribute to fatal crashes, particularly during the peak tourist season.