At least 20 people were killed and 36 others injured after a passenger bus fell into a ravine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday.
The accident occurred near Kanoti village when the bus, which was traveling from Ramnagar to Udhampur, lost control and fell into a ravine. Local authorities began rescue operations immediately.
What led to the accident?
Officials said the bus made a sharp turn on a mountain road when the driver lost control, causing the bus to roll down a steep rocky slope about 100 feet high before landing on a low-lying road.
Read also | 20 killed and 36 injured when a passenger bus slid into a ravine in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Udhampur-Reasi, said the bus, after losing control on the curve, also collided with an auto-rickshaw on the lower road, injuring those inside.
The Union Minister is monitoring the situation
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he spoke to Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Minja Sherpa soon after the incident and reviewed the situation.
“Just spoke to Udhampur DC, Minja Sherpa, after learning about a tragic road accident, less than an hour ago, at Kanoti village, involving a public transport bus on its way from Ramnagar to Udhampur. Rescue operation was carried out immediately. Huge casualties are expected. All possible assistance is being provided. The injured will be taken for medical assistance. Arrangements are being made to airlift the seriously injured. I am in constant touch with the local administration as well as our local team of workers led by Rajender Sharma,” he said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister responded
“Pained to hear about the loss of lives due to a bus accident in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. My heartfelt condolences to those who lost their near and dear ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of all those who lost their lives in the tragic accident. The injured will be given Rs 50,000: PM,” the Prime Minister’s Office wrote on X.
LG expresses its sadness and asks for help
Manoj Sinha described the incident as “heartbreaking” and offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
“The tragic road accident in Udhampur is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. May God give them strength. We pray for speedy recovery of the injured. I have directed the district superintendent, police, SDF and health department to extend all possible assistance to the affected people.”
Sam replied
The Prime Minister expressed his deep sadness over the tragic road accident. He offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, according to a post on X.
The rescue operation continues
Officials at Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur said that the injured passengers have been brought for treatment, while efforts are being made to recover the bodies from the accident site.
Rescue and resuscitation operations are continuing, said Dr Sanjeev Gupta, medical superintendent of GMC Hospital and its associated hospitals in Udhampur.
Police said the exact sequence of events is being examined, while rescue teams continue their operations at the site.
