A coaster full of wedding guests travelling from Astor to Rawalpindi plunged into a river near Thalchi Bridge in Gilgit on Tuesday with gushing water sweeping away the passengers. According to rescue sources, there were about 23 passengers on board the coaster and two of them including the bride were rescued and one dead body was retrieved. However, the search for the remaining missing passengers was ongoing. The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has expressed regrets while taking notice of the unfortunate accident, a GB government spokesperson said. The chief minister has directed to speed up the rescue operation. Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner Diamar and Rescue 1122 staff were on their way to the accident site, the spokesperson said. About 20 people aboard the ill-fated bus were still missing. In the coaster accident, three wedding guests from Chakwal area of Punjab were also on board.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan