Japan’s envoy remains unhurt in accident

MANSEHRA: Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, remained safe in a serious road accident on Monday after his vehicle developed brake failure and collided with a police escort van, which subsequently plunged into a ravine in the Makriha Jandwal area, leaving 10 police officials injured.

“The brakes of the vehicle carrying the ambassador failed, causing it to collide with the police escort van. As a result of which, 10 police personnel were injured and shifted to a health facility,” District Police Officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur told reporters here.

When the incident occurred, the ambassador and his embassy staff were returning to Islamabad after inaugurating a newly carpeted link road in the Jandwal area of Shinkiari. Although the ambassador’s vehicle sustained damage, all occupants, including the ambassador, remained unharmed.

The driver of the police van, however, lost control after the collision and plunged into a ravine. All 10 injured officials were promptly taken to King Abdullah Teaching Hospital for emergency treatment.

According to the list issued by the Police Department, the injured include SHO of Shinkiari Police Station Saqib Khan, Assistant Sub-Inspector Hamza Khan, Constables Mohammad Shehbaz, Mohammad Jawad, Mohammad Yunus, Abdul Wajid, Farman Shah, Mohammad Javed and Lady Constables Sana Bibi and Zainab Bibi

“All the injured personnel were provided emergency care at the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital. Their condition is now reported to be stable,” Gandapur confirmed. He added that the ambassador was visiting the site on the invitation of the Saibaan Development Organisation to inaugurate the link road.

“We had implemented foolproof security arrangements for the ambassador’s visit, including pilot and escort vehicles. A detailed report has been submitted to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief,” he said.