At least 18 people were killed when a bus carrying wedding guests plunged into the Indus River in northern Pakistan on Tuesday. The incident took place in the Gilgit-Baltistan region while the bus was traveling to Chakwal city in the Punjab province.

According to government spokesman Faizullah Farak, only one woman is alive and she is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. Rescue operations are underway and the search for the missing passengers is set to resume on Wednesday.

The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained and the authorities are yet to record the statement of the individual. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and urged rescuers to intensify efforts to locate the missing.

Road accidents are a common problem in Pakistan, often due to poor infrastructure, inadequate safety standards and violations of traffic rules. In August, 36 people were killed and dozens injured in two separate bus accidents.