The service road of the channel, Wapda officials said, had become slippery after persistent rains and there was no protective railing along the banks of the channel.

The Wapda team was on an inspection visit to monitor the water flow.

The accident took place near the Railways overhead bridge where the jeep veered off the road and plunged into the 40 feet deep channel.

Ghazi Barotha spokesman Mehar Rehman Yousafzai identified the officials as director (technical) Munawar Hussain Tarar, assistant director Mohammad Wasif, executive engineer Ali Akhtar Shah, cameraman Amjid Iqbal and driver Waheed.

A rescue team, including divers, reached the place about four hours after the accident and was there till late in the evening.—Yaqoob Malik