Kargil accident toll reaches five

Srinagar, Dec 19 (UNI) The death toll in an accident in Kargil district yesterday has reached five after the body of one more passenger was recovered today, official sources said.

Four others were also critically wounded when a Mahindra Bolero taxi, with nine people on board, skidded off the road and fell into river Drass near Latoo last evening.

The vehicle was on its way from Drass to Kargil.

While four had been declared dead yesterday, the body of one more passengers was recovered from the river today.

Massive efforts had been launched to recover the bodies of the passengers from river Drass.

Due to intense cold and darkness, the rescue operation was suspended last evening and resumed early this morning.

The dead have been identified as Fayaz Ahmad of Bearas in Drass area, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Hussain (both from Kukstay in Kargil), Fida Hussain of Tacha village and a Nepali labourer.

Social Welfare Minister Haji Nissar Ali and Zanskar legislator Ghulam Raza have expressed shock and grief over the accident.

UNI AG VD HT1855