At least eight people, including three women and more children, died when a passenger cars threw themselves into a gap in the lower Kohistan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Monday.

The incident took place along Karakoram Highway near the Mita Banda area, known for its treacherous and narrow roads. According to rescuers, the vehicle was on its way from Rawalpindi to Gilgit when the driver reportedly lost control, causing it to fall into a deep gorge.

Rescue teams arrived at the stage shortly after the accident and launched a recovery operation. Authorities confirmed that the deceased included women and children. Local residents also helped in the efforts to pick up the victims.

The victims have been identified as Asif Iqbal from Rawalpindi, his wife Memona Iqbal, their four children and two relatives – Aisha Siddique and Bushra Waseem.

District Police Officer (DPO) Taimur Khan confirmed the death and noted that the crash took place on a particularly dangerous part of the highway next to the Indus River. “All eight bodies have been moved to a nearby health facility from which they will be sent to Rawalpindi,” he told journalists.

DPO Khan urged drivers to exhibit extreme caution when traveling through the Kohistan region, citing the challenging geography and winding road conditions that often contribute to such tragedies.