Muzaffarabad: 16 bodies retrieved from Jhelum river

MUZAFFARABAD: A school bus carrying up to 30 children plunged into Jhelum river in Garhi Dopatta area near Muzaffarabad on Tuesday, killing at least 16 pupils, officials said.“We have recovered the bodies of 16 children,” an official said. The minibus was carrying 30 children aged 10 to 15 from Garhi Dupatta, 28 kilometres from Muzaffarabad to Allama Iqbal School, he said.The driver lost control of the vehicle, which skidded off the road and plunged into Jhelum river, said Ghulam Akbar, police chief of Muzaffarabad.“Only five children have been recovered alive,” he said, leading to fears that the death toll was likely to rise.The rescuers have taken out the bus driver and four children in injured condition. Six dead bodies of the children were also retrieved from the river. Police has arrested the bus driver for investigation. The injured have been shifted at Garhi Dupatta government hospital for medical aid. Acting Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir has ordered inquiry into the incident and called the report within 24 hours.