SWAT: A heartbreaking accident on the Swat Motorway has claimed the lives of 17 people, all from the same family, after a truck carrying nomads overturned and plunged into a deep ravine near Tunnel Number Three. The victims were reportedly migrating from Swat to Faisalabad when the tragic incident occurred.
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According to officials from Malakand Rescue 1122, the accident was caused by brake failure. The overloaded truck, unable to control its speed on the winding mountain road, lost balance and veered off the expressway, tumbling into a ravine.
Among the deceased are eight children, four women, and three men, all belonging to a family from Gabral, Behrain Tehsil in Swat District. Rescue officials confirmed that 15 people died on the spot, while two others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, raising the toll to 17.
Eight others were injured in the crash, with four reported in critical condition. All injured were initially treated on-site by emergency responders and later transported to the District Headquarters Hospital in Batkhela for specialised care.
A joint rescue operation was carried out by the Motorway Police, Rescue 1122, and Levies personnel. The challenging terrain and the severity of the crash made recovery efforts difficult and time-consuming.
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Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with preliminary findings pointing to brake failure and speeding as the primary causes. The tragedy has cast a pall of grief over the Swat region, where the victims hailed from, and has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of vehicle safety regulations on mountainous routes.
This is one of the deadliest accidents in the region in recent years, drawing widespread sympathy and condolences from across the country.