How Did 11 People Die When a Van Plunged Into a River in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Quick answer: Eleven people were killed and two injured when a passenger van travelling from Gilgit to Yasin Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan plunged into the Yasin River on Thursday evening, 12 November 2026.
Key facts
- What: A passenger van left the road and plunged into the Yasin River.
- Where: Near Morkah Bridge, Ghizer district, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
- When: Thursday evening, 12 November 2026; reported on 13 November 2026.
- Route: From Gilgit to Yasin Valley.
- Reported toll: 11 killed, 2 injured.
- Source: Dawn, reporting local police.
What happened
The van was travelling from Gilgit towards Yasin Valley when the driver lost control near Morkah Bridge and the vehicle plunged into the Yasin River, according to police. Dawn reported that the dead included an infant and, in the first reports, two women. All of the people on board were residents of Yasin Valley.
The crash happened on a mountain road in a remote district, where a vehicle leaving the road can fall a long way before reaching the river below. Police said an investigation was under way to identify the cause, which had not yet been established.
Emergency response
Rescue teams recovered bodies from the river after the crash. Early reports put the toll at 10 dead, including two women, with three people rescued, including a child, and taken to Gupis Civil Hospital. The toll was later updated to 11 killed and two injured.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain expressed grief over the deaths and directed the district administration, rescue workers and health officials to ensure the injured were taken to hospital and given the best medical facilities. He instructed officials to allow no negligence in the treatment of the injured, to monitor their care, and he offered condolences and prayers for the families of those who died.
What happens next
Police are investigating the crash to establish why the driver lost control. The injured remain in hospital, and the authorities are expected to confirm the final casualty figures once the injured have been fully counted and the victims identified.
A pattern of serious crashes in Pakistan
Dawn noted that the Ghizer crash was the latest in a series of serious road crashes in Pakistan. On the Wednesday before it, three people were killed and 13 injured when a coach collided with a motorcycle in Dera Ismail Khan. The previous week, eight people were killed and 30 injured when a bus travelling from Gilgit to Islamabad collided with a dumper near the Havelian Interchange. The day before that crash, 11 people were killed and 33 injured when a bus collided with a truck near Pakpattan.
Pakistan records an estimated 34,392 road deaths a year, a World Health Organization rate of 14.3 deaths per 100,000 people. That is about 94 deaths every day, which underlines how often a single crash on a busy or mountain road can claim many lives at once.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were killed in the Ghizer van crash?
Eleven people were killed, according to updated police figures reported by Dawn. The dead included an infant.
Where exactly did the van crash happen?
Near Morkah Bridge in Ghizer district, Gilgit-Baltistan, where the van left the road and plunged into the Yasin River.
How many people were injured?
Two people were injured in the final reported figures. Early reports had said three people were rescued, including a child, and taken to Gupis Civil Hospital.
What caused the van to plunge into the river?
Police said the driver lost control of the van. An investigation is under way and the cause has not yet been officially identified.
Who were the victims?
The people on board were residents of Yasin Valley. The dead included an infant and two women, according to the first reports.
*This is a developing story compiled from verified reporting; figures may change as official information is confirmed. Source: Dawn — https://www.dawn.com/news/2044089*
In this story
More from Pakistan
- How Did 3 People Die and 13 Get Injured in a Coach–Motorcycle Crash in Dera Ismail Khan? ·
- 8 Killed in Havelian Bus Crash — Latest Updates and Road Safety Facts ·
- How Did 8 People Die in the Hazara Motorway Bus Crash? ·
- 11 Killed in Pakistan Bus Crash — Latest Updates and Road Safety Facts ·
- How Did 11 People Die in the Pakpattan Bus Crash? ·
- How Did 10 People Die in the Tharparkar Ambulance Oxygen Blast — and What Aid Did Sindh Announce? ·
More from the tracker
Watch accidents unfold in real time on the live world map, check the 2026 statistics, or browse all articles.