Four children belonging to the same family lost their lives, while four others sustained critical injuries, after a van transporting them to a religious school plunged into a deep ravine in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Neelum Valley on Saturday morning.
According to Neelum Valley police, the vehicle was travelling from Nagdar, approximately 20 kilometres from the district headquarters in Athmuqam, when the accident occurred near the Karen Bypass Link Road.
Police said the driver was attempting to negotiate a sharp, blind turn at Ghoray Nakkah Curve when the van veered off the road and fell approximately 500 metres into the ravine.
The crash claimed the lives of three children at the scene, while four others were initially reported injured.
One of the injured children subsequently died while receiving treatment at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Athmuqam, bringing the death toll to four.
The deceased were identified as Hasnain, 12; Taifoor, 10; Aleen, 16; and Zareed, 2. Police confirmed that the victims included siblings.
The injured children were later transferred to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital in Muzaffarabad for specialised medical care.
Doctors described their condition as critical.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Shah Ghulam Qadir expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased children.
He also prayed for the recovery of those injured in the accident.
Qadir said he shared the grief of the affected families and had contacted the Neelum Valley district administration to ensure they received the necessary support.
He directed officials to extend all possible assistance to the bereaved families and arrange free medical treatment for the injured children.
The accident has left the affected family mourning the loss of four children, while the remaining injured victims continue to receive treatment.