SHANGLA: A school jeep carrying students from The Smart School, Bele Baba, plunged into a deep ravine on Friday, killing a young student and injuring 17 others in a tragic accident that left the local community mourning.
The deceased student was identified as Niaz Ali, son of Arjab Shah. His death plunged his family, relatives, teachers and residents into grief. Following funeral prayers, he was laid to rest in a local cemetery.
According to local reports, the accident occurred after school hours as students were travelling by jeep to their homes in the upper areas. During the journey, the vehicle reportedly went out of the driver’s control and fell into a deep ravine.
Injured Students Taken to Hospitals
Residents rushed to the scene after learning about the accident and began rescue efforts. The injured children were pulled from the vehicle and initially transported to the District Headquarters Hospital in Alpuri for medical treatment.
Due to the condition of several injured students, most were subsequently shifted to Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital in Swat for further treatment. They remain under medical care.
The injured students were identified as Irfanullah, Ausaf Ahmad, Faizullah, Amanat, Rashid Ali, Mehrab-ur-Rehman, Farhad, Faisal, Sajid Ahmad, Yaseen, Ali, I’tisar, Adam Shet, Idris, Asadullah, Luqmanullah and Maleeka.
Accident Raises Concerns Over Student Transport Safety
The tragedy has renewed concerns about the safe transportation of schoolchildren, the arrangements made by educational institutions for student travel and whether vehicles carrying children have adequate capacity and safety measures.
The incident has caused anxiety among parents and residents, highlighting the risks children may face while travelling between school and home.
Police have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident.