In Chilas, officials on Thursday returned the bodies of five victims from the tragic Fairy Meadows road accident to their families. However, two victims remain unidentified, with their bodies still held at the hospital morgue.
The accident took place on June 10, when a jeep carrying six tourists and a local driver plunged into a deep ravine along the road connecting Fairy Meadows to the Karakoram Highway in Diamer district, Gilgit-Baltistan. The vehicle veered off the narrow mountainous path while returning from Fairy Meadows.
The Regional Headquarters Hospital Chilas confirmed that after completing medico-legal procedures, five bodies were identified and handed over to relatives. Unfortunately, no identification documents or cards were found on the two remaining victims, making their identification impossible so far.
In a significant development, hospital authorities announced coordination with the district administration to arrange for the burial of the two unidentified victims under the practice of “amanatan,” which refers to a temporary or entrusted burial. These arrangements are scheduled to take place the following day.
Authorities have appealed to the public and any relatives who may have information to promptly contact the hospital to assist in identifying the two victims.
Earlier reports confirmed that seven people lost their lives in the accident, including six tourists from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a local driver from the Darel area of Diamer district. The remote and rugged terrain of the region, combined with narrow roads and steep cliffs, often complicates rescue operations.
Local residents initially conducted rescue efforts before official teams arrived to recover the bodies and transport them to the hospital for identification and legal formalities.
Road accidents remain a frequent hazard in Gilgit-Baltistan’s mountainous districts, especially during the summer tourist season, due to challenging terrain, sharp curves, and limited road safety infrastructure.
