At least 16 people died as a van plunged into the Indus river in Kohistan region of Pakistan on Monday, media reports said on Tuesday.

Dasu-Kohistan Control Room officials told Dawn News the van, carrying 16 passengers from the same family including women and children, was en route to Rawalpindi from Chilas when the accident occurred.

According to reports, the family ha privately hired the van for their travel.

Initially, the body of a woman was found lying on the bank of the river, prompting locals and rescue officials to start an operation to locate the other passengers and the van, reports Dawn News.

The rescue team was trying to find the missing people following the mishap.