7 killed as bridge collapses in Neelum Valley

MUZAFFARABAD/ ISLAMABAD/ RAWALPINDI: At least seven students were killed, 8 injured and 14 others are still missing as 26 tourist students from Lahore, Faisalabad and Sahiwal drowned when the hanging bridge collapsed in Kundal Shahi area of Neelum district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday, district administration informed.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the incident.

Deputy Commissioner of Neelum District Raja Shahid Mehmood informed that some 72 tourist students were traveling in three different coaches to Neelum Valley. Some of the students among them later visited Kundal Shahi, a tourist spot of Kuton Jagran and at least 26 students gathered on the Jagran hanging bridge built on a deep gulch for taking their selfies, ignoring the warning mentioned on the board of the bridge. The bridge collapsed due to overweight and the students fell into deep speedy water.

According to Neelum DC, the police and local people promptly reacted and came to their rescue. After hectic efforts some four bodies were recovered from the river and eight injured students were rushed to the District Hospital Athmuqam whereas 14 more students were missing.

Police officials stated that 25 tourists tried to take clicks on a bridge, located over the Jagran Nullah in Kundal Shahi area. The bridge — which collapsed — had only capacity to withstand weight of up to 5 persons. However, tourists ignored the warning signs and bridge collapsed resulting in 7 deaths. Officials have stated that death toll may soar as operation continued.

Three of the bodies were identified as Shahzeb, Abdul Rehman and Muhammad Zubair from Tips College Faisalabad whereas, Anum D/o Matloob, Anisa Bibi and Waleed Sajjid got injured.

The district officials said that rescue work had been extended to recover the rest of the missing students from the nullah.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the Neelum Valley mishap. He has directed all the departments concerned to expedite the rescue efforts, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

INP adds: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in bridge collapse incident in Neelum Valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement issued here on Sunday said that Army Chief General Bajwa has directed for all possible assistance, while Pakistan Army’s rescue and relief efforts continued and a special SSG divers team was sent for search operation.

Army troops along with doctors and paramedics also reached at the incident site. Two Pakistan Army helicopters and SSG special divers flown to the site of the incident.

Four dead bodies and 11 injured have been evacuated by helicopter from Shahkot to Muzaffarabad, the ISPR statement said.