Seven tourists injured on Babusar Road in Diamer

GILGIT: At least seven tourists were injured in a road accident near the Babusar area of the Diamer district here on Thursday.

According to Gilgit-Baltistan Rescue 1122, a tourist vehicle bearing the registration number (ANR 227) met with an accident on the treacherous Babusar Road while traveling from Rawalpindi to Skardu at approximately 10:45am.

The accident, attributed to a brake failure, resulted in injuries to the driver and several passengers. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.

The vehicle, which was navigating the steep and winding terrain of Babusar, experienced brake failure at a critical juncture. The driver, Ahsan, son of Muhammad Sabir, lost control of the vehicle, leading to the mishap. Emergency response teams were swiftly dispatched to the scene, providing immediate medical assistance to the injured.

The injured passengers have been identified as Ali Raza, son of Sultan, Qurban Ali, son of Yameen, Ali Haider, son of Afzal Meki, Afeef, son of Mirza, Jameel Ahmed, son of Munir Ahmed, Muhammad Akram, son of Muhammad Ashraf, resident of Okara and Muhammad Waqas, son of Muratab Ali, resident of Faisalabad.

At six people, including five members of a family, died in separate accidents in Naltar Valley of Gilgit and near Babusar Top in Diamer on Wednesday.

Five members of a family, including two children and two women, lost their lives and one sustained injuries when their car fell from Naltar Expressway in the Harpon area, while a tourist was killed and several others injured when a car crashed into a shop near Babusar Top.

According to rescue officials, six family members of a family from Maharban Pura area of Gilgit were heading to Naltar in their car on the third day of Eid when it fell from the hilly road while descending the expressway.

Mohammad Arif, 40, his wife, their two daughters and his mother-in-law died on the spot, while their relative Rizwan Ali sustained injuries.

Meanwhile, one tourist died and several others were injured when a car crashed into a shop at Thak area of Diamer near Babusar Top on Wednesday.

District Emergency Officer Engineer Tahir Shah has expressed grave concern over the rising number of injuries and fatalities resulting from traffic accidents, urging the public to adhere strictly to traffic laws and safety measures

“We have lost numerous precious lives in traffic accidents during the three days of Eid,” he stated.

Shah appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel. He advised drivers to exercise extreme caution while driving, avoid speeding, and refrain from driving under the influence. He also urged against using mobile phones while driving and emphasized ensuring the roadworthiness of vehicles.

 He recommended the use of lower gears while descending steep inclines.He particularly addressed the youth, advising them to avoid overspeeding and performing stunts on motorcycles. Parents were urged to prevent their young children from driving cars and motorcycles unnecessarily.