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River Jhelum Tragedy: Death Toll Reaches 10 After More Bodies Recovered
Rawalpindi’s Garari Bridge tragedy deepens as Rescue 1122 recovers six more bodies from River Jhelum, raising the death toll to 10. Three passengers are still missing as search operations continue.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-12-12
River Jhelum Tragedy: Death Toll Reaches 10 After More Bodies Recovered

Rescue teams recovered six more bodies from the River Jhelum near Garari Bridge on Friday, a day after a passenger van plunged into the river, raising the death toll to 10, officials confirmed.

The tragic incident occurred on Thursday when a hi-ace van carrying over a dozen passengers from Hajera in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) lost control while negotiating a turn near the Garari Bridge in Rawalpindi’s Kahuta area. The vehicle crashed into the river below, prompting an immediate rescue operation.

Four bodies were recovered during Thursday’s initial operation, which had to be halted due to diminishing daylight. Rescue workers feared that the strong river current may have swept away some of the missing passengers.

When the operation resumed early Friday, Rescue 1122 teams retrieved at least six additional bodies, District Emergency Officer Syghbatullah confirmed. He added that three passengers still remain missing, and the search is ongoing.

Initially, Rescue 1122 had confirmed the recovery of five bodies during the early hours of Friday before updating the toll to six as the operation progressed.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Amir Khattak has directed all relevant departments — including Rescue 1122, health authorities, traffic police, and the tehsil administration — to conduct a coordinated search and rescue effort.

A History of Tragedy at Garari Bridge

This is not the first fatal incident at the Garari Bridge.

  • On August 24 last year, a devastating accident at the same location claimed 24 lives when a bus plunged into the River Jhelum.
  • In another major accident on the Kahuta–Hajera AJK road in October 2024, more than 14 passengers were seriously injured when a bus met with a similar fate.

The recurring accidents have raised serious questions about road safety measures, vehicle handling on sharp turns, and the need for reinforced barriers along the river route.

As the rescue operation continues, authorities are yet to release the identities of the victims while families anxiously await news of the three passengers still unaccounted for.
Tagged:

rawalpindi

Rescue1122

GarariBridge

RiverJhelum
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