CHILAS: Authorities in Chilas have handed over the bodies of five victims killed in the tragic Fairy Meadows road accident to their families after completing medico-legal formalities, while two victims remain unidentified days after the deadly crash.
The accident occurred on June 10 in the Diamer district when a jeep carrying tourists and a local driver plunged into a deep ravine on the mountainous route connecting Fairy Meadows with the Karakoram Highway. The vehicle was reportedly returning from the popular tourist destination when it veered off the narrow road and fell into a gorge.
According to the administration of the Regional Headquarters Hospital Chilas, five of the deceased were successfully identified and their bodies were released to relatives. However, authorities have not yet been able to determine the identities of two victims.
Hospital officials said no identity cards, travel documents, or other forms of identification were recovered from the unidentified victims. As a result, both bodies remain in the hospital morgue while efforts continue to trace their families.
Officials confirmed that arrangements are being made in coordination with the district administration for the “amanatan” burial of the two unidentified victims. The entrusted burial is expected to take place if no relatives come forward to assist in the identification process.
The hospital administration has appealed to the public and the families of any missing persons who may have traveled to the region to immediately contact authorities and help establish the identities of the deceased.
Earlier, police reported that seven people lost their lives in the accident, including six tourists and the local driver. The victims included visitors from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the driver belonged to the Darel area of Diamer district.
Rescue efforts were initially carried out by local residents who rushed to the scene in the remote mountainous area. Due to the difficult terrain and limited access, locals played a crucial role before official rescue teams arrived and recovered the bodies.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with travel on Gilgit-Baltistan’s mountain roads. Every year, thousands of tourists visit Fairy Meadows, one of Pakistan’s most scenic destinations, but narrow roads, sharp turns, steep cliffs, and limited road safety infrastructure continue to pose serious risks, particularly during the busy summer tourism season.
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