At least 20 dead and 21 injured in horror crash after bus plunges into a rocky ravine
AT LEAST 20 people have been killed in a horror bus crash in Pakistan as 21 others are left in hospital receiving treatment.
The bus fatally veered off the road and down a rocky ravine this morning, prompting a huge government rescue mission as army helicopters were flown in to help with the emergency ordeal.
The bus reportedly went off at a narrow mountain road before plunging into a deep valley off the Karakoram Highway.
Government spokesman, Faizullah Firaq, told Reuters: "The bus was passing through Diamer district in Gilgit-Baltistan when it fell into a deep ravine."
The horrifying ordeal was declared an emergency in Gilgit-Baltistan as the hospital was overrun with patients.
Thirty eight passengers were on board the bus alongside three others thought to be drivers and assistants.
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The driver lost control of the steering as the bus crashed off the road, local police reported.
At least three women are among those killed, says the Director of the health in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Army helicopters were flown in as part of the recovery and rescue operations as those injured were airlifted to a nearby hospital.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif gave his condolences to the families of the victims.
He also prayed for those injured to have a swift recovery.
Harrowing pictures show the large passenger bus upside down at the bottom of a cliff.
The roof of the motor has been ripped off as it cascaded down the rocky ravine and can be seen teetering on the rocks above.
