Seven Killed After Tourist Jeep Falls Into Ravine on Dangerous Road
Seven people are dead after a tourist jeep plunged into a deep ravine in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region Monday afternoon, killing all six passengers and the driver on board.
The accident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. on Tattu Raikot Road near Chilas in the Diamer district, as the vehicle was traveling toward Fairy Meadows — one of Pakistan's most celebrated natural destinations, situated at the base of Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth-highest mountain. The jeep lost control, fell into the Tattu Nullah ravine, and was subsequently swept away by strong water currents in the stream below.
Police and rescue teams responded immediately alongside local volunteers, but the difficult mountainous terrain significantly hampered recovery operations. As of Monday evening, the body of the driver had been recovered. Recovery operations for the remaining victims were ongoing.
Who Was on Board
The driver was identified as Ziaullah, a resident of the Darel area in Diamer district. Among the passengers, two tourists were identified as Ali and Sajjad, both from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The remaining four passengers were believed to be from Punjab. Pakistani authorities were working to confirm the full identities of all victims.
What Fairy Meadows Is
Fairy Meadows is one of Pakistan's most iconic and increasingly popular tourist destinations. Located at approximately 3,300 meters above sea level in Gilgit-Baltistan, it sits at the foot of Nanga Parbat and is known for sweeping alpine views, pine forests, and its proximity to one of the world's most technically demanding peaks. The destination draws hikers, mountaineering enthusiasts, and nature tourists from across Pakistan and internationally.
The road to Fairy Meadows is notorious among travelers. The Tattu Raikot Road — on which Monday's accident occurred — is widely considered one of the most dangerous jeep tracks in Pakistan, a steep, narrow dirt road that hugs sheer cliff faces with no guardrails. The journey is typically made in four-wheel-drive jeeps operated by local drivers familiar with the terrain. Even under ideal conditions, the road presents serious risk.
A Recurring Danger
Fatal accidents on mountain roads in Gilgit-Baltistan and northern Pakistan's other mountain regions are not uncommon. Dawn, one of Pakistan's leading newspapers, noted in its coverage that "fatal accidents are common on roads in the mountainous regions of the country due to traffic rule violations, treacherous terrain and poor infrastructure."
In April 2026, a separate jeep accident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Upper Chitral killed three people and injured two others after the vehicle skidded off a wet, slippery road. In March 2026, a tourist van collision on the Hazara Motorway killed one passenger and injured 13.
Monday's accident was among the deadliest of the year in the region's tourism corridors. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
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