Van mishap Bodies of 14 kids recovered from river

MUZAFFARABAD, A school bus carrying at least 25 students skidded into a river near Garhi Dopatta area of Muzaffarabad; bodies of 14 children have been recovered from the river, Geo News reported Tuesday.

There are reports that at least five children have been rescued.

Today, an Eid Milan Party was being convened at the school; therefore, the children were taking along their younger siblings to attend the party. The van was carrying at least 36 children from Garhi Dopatta and other areas to Hatian, when it careened off into the river, going out of control over a turn.

The local people jump-started relief efforts on self-help basis and van driver and five children were recovered from the river in injured state. However, the bodies of 14 children have been recovered.

The ages of wounded and deceased children range from ten to 12. The relief efforts are still in progress on the spot.

According to school sources, the most of the children were orphaned in 2005 earthquake.

According to preliminary reports, the accident occurred owing to the negligence of the driver, as a school guard was driving the van and was busy on his phone when the accident happened.....