Four tourists killed as cab falls into canal off Srinagar-ladakh highway

Fourtouristswerekilledwhile two are missing after a vehicle they were traveling in skidded off theroadandfellintothefastflowing Sindh canal at Gagangeer on the Srinagar-ladakah national highway, officials said.

Two tourists were rescued in a critical condition and were rushed to Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment, officials said. The rescue operations were suspended late Sunday due to incessant rains and darkness.

Officials said there were eight tourists and a local driver in the cab when it fell into the canal.

The rescue teams, comprising of State Disaster Response Force, J-K Police and Army, immediately rushed to the accident spot and launched the rescue operations.

The rescue team managed to retrieve four bodies from the canal while two tourists were rescued with injuries. The injured tourists were rushed to Srinagar for treatment, officials said, where their conditon is termed to be critical.

Thekashmirvalleyiswitnessingintermittentrainsfromthelast two days and Met officials have predicted the rains to continue for anothertwodays.thecontinuous rains has resulted in high water levels in rivers and canals.

While officials are yet to ascertain the identity of the deceased tourists, the driver of the vehicle, rescued with minor injuries, has been identified as Mohammad Saleem Mir.

This is the second such incident in the valley this month. On April 16, nine persons including seven school children drowned when the boat they used to cross the river capsized in river Jehlum in Srinagar.