Search Continues for Tajikistan Governor and Four Others After Vehicle Plunges into River

An extensive search operation is underway for Alisher Mirzonabot, the Governor of Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), and four other individuals who were traveling with him when their vehicle fell into the Panj River last week. More than 100 rescuers from the Committee for Emergency Situations (CES) are involved in the challenging effort.

Orif Nozimiyon, a spokesperson for the CES, described the ongoing difficulties at the scene. "The water level in the river remains high, and the current is extremely strong, which significantly complicates the operation," he told Asia-Plus. Despite these adverse conditions, search efforts continue from early morning until late evening, with representatives from all relevant state agencies present.

An operational headquarters has been established to coordinate the search, which has been ongoing for seven days. Rescuers are meticulously examining both the surface and underwater sections of the river in the vicinity of the accident, as well as downstream. Specialized rescue teams from GBAO and the Kulob region of Khatlon Province are participating in the operation.

The incident occurred on the morning of June 17 on the Dushanbe–Khorog highway in GBAO’s Darvoz district. The vehicle carrying Governor Mirzonabot, his wife, daughter, aide, and driver plunged into the Panj River. Following the accident, First Deputy Governor Sharifkhon Safarzoda has been temporarily assigned the duties of the head of GBAO until a new governor is appointed.

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The water level in the river remains high, and the current is extremely strong, which significantly complicates the operation. Despite these challenges, the search continues.