What started as a fun adventure turned into a heartbreaking tragedy. Four young missing tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan, originally from Gujrat, were finally located—but not the way their families had hoped.
The group, including Wasif Shahzad (36), Umar Ehsan (20)—both cousins from Kot Gakka—along with Salman Nasrullah Sandhu (23) from Jassoki and Usman Dar (23) from Saroki, had arrived in Gilgit on May 13. They planned to travel from Hunza to Skardu and stayed a night at a hotel near Danyor in Gilgit before continuing their journey.
But on May 16, all contact was lost. Their phones went silent, and their families raised the alarm. A massive search began, led by GB police and Rescue 1122, scouring the rough terrain from Jaglot to Skardu, in hopes of finding the missing tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Finally, on Saturday morning, a glimmer of hope turned into grief when their white vehicle was spotted deep down a 500-foot gorge near the Indus River, close to Istak village in Skardu’s Roundu Valley.
The car had crashed after losing control at high speed on the dangerously winding Baltistan Highway, plunging into a ravine beside the river. Rescue teams immediately rushed to the scene, facing extreme difficulty due to the rocky cliffs and strong river flow.
Sadly, three bodies were found inside the vehicle, while one was lying outside, confirming the worst fears of their families.
Authorities believe the challenging terrain and sharp curves on the road played a major role in the tragic accident. This area has seen many such incidents involving missing tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan, due to its narrow, elevated roads and proximity to the Indus River.
Rescue officials and police continue their efforts to retrieve the vehicle and the bodies with the help of cranes and ropes.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks of traveling through the beautiful but treacherous landscapes of Gilgit-Baltistan—a region loved by tourists but demanding utmost caution.
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