At least 21 people were killed and more than 50 others injured when a packed private bus plunged about 100 feet down a hill, crushing a vehicle before landing upside down on the road below, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday, officials said.
The 42-seater bus was carrying 63 passengers, including women and students, on its way from Ramnagar to Udhampur. “The accident occurred around 9.30 am at Kagot Morh, about 23 km from Udhampur,” Additional Deputy Commissioner Prem Singh Cheb told Hindustan Times.
ADC said: “Two vehicles were involved in the accident. The bus plunged down the slope as the driver lost control while rounding a bend, and collided with an autorickshaw as it fell on the road below. Fifteen passengers were found dead at the accident site, and six others succumbed to their injuries in hospital.”
President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences over the loss of lives in the accident. Modi also announced as an ex gratia $2 thousand for each family of the dead $50,000 for the injured.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Prime Minister Omar Abdullah assured the families of the deceased and injured of all possible assistance. Omar also announced a previous donation $2 thousand for each of the relatives of the deceased $1 lakh for those who were seriously injured and $25,000 for those who sustained minor injuries in the accident.
The rescue operation proved to be very difficult as the car was reduced to a pile of iron, with the top part almost completely torn off. An army convoy passing along the hills led the rescue operations while local residents also participated. “Rescue teams and ambulances were mobilized immediately and within one hour we transferred the victims to hospitals,” ADC Chib said.
“Among the 57 injured, three are in critical condition. While two were referred to the Government Medical College in Jammu, the third was shifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur,” he added. The remaining injured are undergoing treatment at Udhampur Medical College and Ramnagar District Hospital, Shib added.
“Since morning, daily passengers like employees, students and workers were on board the bus. When the bus fell on a rocky slope, its roof was completely torn off,” DIG Shiv Kumar Sharma said, adding that local residents provided great assistance during the rescue operations.
Police teams, including the Senior Superintendent of Police, Station House Officer (SHO) of Ramnagar and other officers, visited the site. “The vehicle was later straightened using a hydraulic jack,” the DIG added.
“This is a very tragic incident, and we stand in solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones. Jammu and Kashmir Police stands with them in this hour of grief,” the DGP said.
Although there were no crash barriers at the curve, the road was not in bad condition and the curve was not sharp either, the ADC said. “At this point, it would be too early to say whether a flat tire or reckless driving caused the accident,” Shipp said. “We could clearly see the tire marks. It appears the driver tried to apply the brakes but it was too late by then.”
Sachin Gupta, a local resident, said the autorickshaw driver saw the bus plowing into his car. “Though he tried to avoid the collision, the bus hit the back of the autorickshaw and turned turtle,” Gupta said.
An Army soldier, who was leading his team on an exercise from Udhampur to Ramnagar, said they immediately jumped into action after they noticed the civilian vehicle rolling down the hill. The soldier added: “I was leading my team when the accident occurred on the road. The car fell from a height of about 100 feet. We immediately secured the area and began the rescue operation.”
“Pained to hear about the loss of lives as a result of a bus accident in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones and loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. As an offering,” Modi said in a post on X. $2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of all those who lost their lives in the tragic accident. The wounded will be given $The post said: 50 thousand.
In a post on Sinha said he directed the district administration, police, state disaster response force and health department to provide all possible assistance to the affected people.
In a post on the X website, Omar said: “The government stands firmly with the victims and their families in this hour of grief, and all necessary assistance is being provided.” Former Prime Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also expressed grief over the incident.
Earlier, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that he spoke to Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Minja Sherpa after the incident. The minister said: “The rescue operation was carried out immediately. Heavy casualties are expected. All possible assistance is being provided. The injured will be transported to receive medical assistance. Arrangements are being made to airlift the seriously injured.”
