At least 15 people are feared deadafter a landslide at a popular tourist spot in northwesternPakistan's Kaghan Valley, police and reports said today.
The official Associated Press of Pakistan reported the tollcould be around 15 but local police officer Mushtaq Ahmed said therewas no confirmation of the number of people missing or killed in theaccident.
"We have sent rescue teams but since the road is closed ourteams are approaching the affected area by foot. We have noconfirmation of the number of casualties," Mr Ahmed said.
The incident happened late last night at Chitta Katha, apicturesque picnic spot in the Naran valley.
Police said the landslide began when a boulder broke loose fromthe surrounding hills and crashed towards the main road, sweepingsix cars including two military vehicles into the Kunhar river.
Witnesses have told police that groups of tourists were takingpictures at the edge of the river when the boulder broke loose. "It blocked the river Kunhar and we have evacuated people fromareas close to the river for fear of water spilling into theirvillages," Mr Ahmed said, adding that the road had also collapsed.
He said locals saved seven tourists, including three women andtwo children.
Inquiries were being made at nearby hotels to determine how manypeople were missing.
Officials said thousands of tourists are believed to be stuck inthe valley and the government might have to use helicopters toevacuate them if the road could not be repaired quickly.
AFP