DUSHANBE, January 31, 2012, Asia-Plus – Five persons were killed and five others were injured on January 30 as an all-terrain vehicle fell over a precipice into a river in the northern Sughd province, according to the Interior Ministry traffic police directorate.

The accident took place yesterday afternoon in the Safedorak area, Ayni district, the source said, noting that at least three vehicles were involved in the crash when a minivan went into oncoming traffic.

“The driver perhaps failed to control the minivan and it collided with car VAZ-21099 and then with all-terrain vehicle Mitsubishi Pajero,” said the source, “The collision was so powerful that Mitsubishi Pajero fell over a 35-meter precipice into the Fondaryo River.  Five persons, including five-year-old baby, were killed on the spot and five others, including two infants, sustained various injuries and were taken to the Ayni central district hospital.”