Five tourists dead, 15 missing after bridge collapses

Muzaffarabad, AJK: At least five tourists died and 15 others reported missing after a wooden hanging bridge over a small river collapsed in the Neelum Valley at Kundal Shahi on Sunday.

Initial reports said that some two dozen tourists were taking pictures while standing over a handing wooden-plank bridge over a small river, Jagran Nullah. However, the bridge collapsed due to their weight and the tourists fell into the river and swept away by its fast stream.

Pakistan army was summoned for rescue operation and five dead bodies were recovered from the river.

AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider took notice of the incident and sought a report from the relevant officials. He ordered the setting up of a control room in Muzaffarabad and directed families of the victims to contact the centre at 0582220097.