Van accident in northern Pakistan kills 11, dozens critically injured PHOTO

At least 11 people, including women and children, were killed and five others critically injured after a passenger van plunged into a deep ravine in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, local rescue officials told Xinhua.

The accident occurred in the Swat district while the van was traveling from the tourist resort of Malam Jabba to Sair Telegram along a mountainous route, officials said.

Rescue teams and local residents rushed to the scene, conducting a relief operation. Five bodies and 11 injured passengers were transported to a nearby hospital, where six of the injured later died from their injuries. Medical personnel warned that the death toll could rise, as all remaining injured were reportedly in critical condition.

Local police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. According to preliminary findings, the driver lost control of the vehicle on the narrow road, causing it to fall into the ravine.

By Vafa Guliyeva