6 killed as car plunges into Neelum River

On July 4, 2025, a tragic accident occurred in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Neelum Valley. A car carrying tourists plunged into the Neelum River near the Chalhana area.

According to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Neelum, six people lost their lives in this accident. The victims included five women and one man. Their bodies have been recovered by rescue teams. The car had seven passengers, including a child, who remains missing. Police and rescue teams are still searching for the missing child.

All six deceased were residents of Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir. The accident has deeply saddened the local community and raised concerns about road safety in the mountainous region.

Details of the Incident

The DDMA Neelum reported that the vehicle fell into a deep gorge along the Neelum River. Rescue teams quickly arrived at the site to recover the victims. The search for the missing child is ongoing with police support.

Previous Similar Tragedy in Chitral

This is not the first such accident in the region this year. Earlier in 2025, a vehicle plunged into the Chitral River near Kuju village. In that accident, three people lost their lives.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sajjad Hussain from Chitral city said the cause of that accident was the driver losing control due to high speed. Two of the victims were identified as Hanif and Akram Khan from Prayeet village. The third victim’s identity was unknown.

Rescue teams, including Rescue 1122 and local police, reached the Chitral accident site quickly. Unfortunately, the strong currents of the river had swept away the victims before the vehicle was recovered.

Call for Safety Measures

These accidents have highlighted the dangers of driving in hilly and riverine areas, especially during tourist seasons. Authorities are urging drivers to be more cautious and follow speed limits.

The local administration is also planning to improve road safety measures and increase awareness campaigns for tourists and drivers in the region.