Jeep plunges into ravine in Shangla, one dead and six injured

By Aftab Hussain

Shangla: One person was killed and six others sustained serious injuries when a jeep skidded off a narrow, unpaved link road and plunged into a deep ravine in a remote area of Shangla district, highlighting ongoing safety concerns on mountainous roads.

The accident occurred in Bele Baba Paghori area of Alpuri, where the vehicle reportedly went out of the driver’s control due to over-speeding on a hilly stretch. The jeep was completely destroyed in the crash, local residents said.

According to residents, the incident caused panic in the area, prompting locals to rush to the site and assist the victims. One passenger, identified as Zahid Gul, died on the spot, while six others were critically injured.

Officials from Rescue 1122 said an ambulance and medical team were dispatched immediately after receiving information. Despite difficult terrain, rescue personnel retrieved the injured from the ravine, provided first aid at the scene, and shifted them to the DHQ Hospital Alpuri, where the condition of some victims was reported to be critical.

After completion of legal formalities, the body of the deceased was handed over to the family. Police and local administration officials reached the site and initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

In a separate incident, another jeep met with an accident in the Masal Damori area of Kana, where a vehicle veered off a link road and fell into a ravine. The jeep was badly damaged, but no casualties were reported.

Residents and local social circles have expressed concern over the increasing number of such accidents in Shangla, particularly in Alpuri and surrounding areas. They said many link roads remain unpaved and lack protective walls, warning signs and speed-control measures, making them hazardous for commuters.

Locals urged the government and relevant departments to take immediate steps, including paving of link roads, repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure, construction of safety barriers and enforcement of traffic control measures, to prevent further loss of life.