Superintendent Police Bhimbher Chaudhry Munir Hussain told APP that three children survived and seven bodies were so far recovered by the rescue teams including the Pakistan Army divers.

"Search operation for the remaining bodies in the canal was underway by the rescuers," the district police chief said.

Those ill-fated children who lost their lives in the tragic mishap were identified as Arbab, Mariya Salim, Aisha, Nouman Sideeuqe, Arman Sagher, Meimopona Anser and Turab.

The three students survived by the rescue teams were identified as Valeed Farooq, Omer Farooq, and Hassan Junaid who had been admitted in a local hospital.

The SP said the school van (AJK -4675) with at least 17 students on board met the accident at about 06:30 a.m when it was coming to Mirpur from Ali Beg after picking the ill-fated students from various areas of

Ali Beg.

The driver, Yasir, resident of Gurha village, lost control over the van and consequentlty it fell into the canal.

The SP said the whereabouts of the driver had not yet been ascertained as he had either drowned in the canal or escaped by jumping off the van at the time of the accident.

Meanwhile, the supply of water in the canal has been blocked to help rescuers in recovering remaining bodies.