30 Injured, Including Children, as School Van Plunges into Ditch in Muzaffarabad,
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| Rescue workers and locals gather at the scene after a school van fell into a ditch in Muzaffarabad, injuring 30 people. |
Tragedy struck in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday morning when a school van carrying children overturned off the road and fell into a deep ditch on the side of the road, injuring at least 30 people.
Rescue officials and eyewitnesses, the van was heading towards a local school when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle near a sharp bend on a mountain road due to brake failure. The van plunged into a ravine several feet deep before coming to a stop.
Injured include several children aged between 6 and 14, some school staff members and the driver. Emergency workers along with locals reached the spot and started rescue operations. The injured were shifted to CMH Muzaffarabad and other nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Hospital sources have said that while most of the injuries were not life-threatening, at least five children are in critical condition and are being treated in intensive care.
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| Dozens, including children, injured after school van overturns on mountain road in Muzaffarabad. |
Authorities' response
Local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Initial reports suggest that poor maintenance of the vehicles and lack of guardrails along the road may have contributed to the incident.
The district administration has ordered an immediate inspection of all school transport vehicles plying in the area and has promised strict action against those violating safety regulations.
Wake-up call for road safety
The unfortunate incident has raised public concern over transport safety in mountainous areas, where inadequate infrastructure and poorly maintained vehicles pose a constant risk to passengers, especially children.
Parents and community members are calling for stricter enforcement of safety measures, regular mechanical checks and proper driver training to prevent such accidents in the future.
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