At least five people were killed and more than 15 injured when a van carrying mourners to a Chehlum procession fell into a drain in Nagar district of Gilgit-Baltistan, officials said.

According to Rescue 1122 Gilgit spokesperson Tariq Aziz, the van met the tragic accident when it was negotiating a narrow curve near Danyore bridge at Karakoram Highway and resultantly plunged into a drain, causing the death of five people and injuring over a dozen.

The bodies and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital.

Rescue officials said three of the injured persons were in critical condition and they were undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Meanwhile, in another incident, at least 20 mourners were injured when a landslide hit their vehicle in Nagar district. They were moved to District Headquarters Hospital, Gilgit. The injured persons were aged between 14 and 20.

Fatal road accidents are common in the country, especially in rural areas where conditions of roads are decrepit.

In May this year, at least five people were killed when a car they were travelling in plunged into a deep ravine in Diamer district. The police had said the incident occurred due to speeding in the hilly area.