UPDATE - Pakistan: 21 killed as van plunges into river

UPDATES WITH DEATH TOLL, OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - At least 21 people were killed after a passenger van plunged into the Indus River in northern Pakistan on Monday morning, an official said.

The van carrying 25 passengers fell into the river in Skardu district, a famous tourist destination, which borders China.

Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the government of Gilgit-Baltistan region in which Skardu is located, confirmed the death toll to Anadolu Agency adding that four persons were injured in the accident.

A rescue operation backed by army helicopters was underway to pull out the bodies, he said.

Ghulam Murtaza, an assistant district commissioner, told reporters that the accident appeared to be the result of overspeeding -- a common cause of several similar incidents in the mountainous region.

Local broadcaster G News reported that 12 bodies have been recovered by rescuers.

Murtaza said an emergency has been declared at the district hospitals.