At least 17 people were killed and 31 others injured after a passenger bus rolled down a hill in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday, reported PTI, citing officials. The bus was on its way to Udhampur from a remote village when the accident took place.
They said a major rescue operation is underway. Several persons were shifted to hospital from the scene and their condition is stated to be critical.
The bus met with the accident on the hilly road while negotiating a blind curve near Kagort village in Ram Nagar area around 10 am, the officials said.
Locals were the first to reach the spot and began rescue efforts, pulling out the injured from the wreckage, the report said, adding that the Police and other emergency responders soon joined the operation to evacuate the victims and clear the site.
A total of 15 bodies were recovered from the wreckage of the vehicle, while 20 injured were evacuated to hospital and condition of many of them was stated to be “serious”, the officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “pained to hear about the loss of lives due to a bus accident in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir.” “I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the tragic mishap. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post on X.
“Tragic road accident in Udhampur is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to bereaved families. May God grant them strength. Praying for speedy recovery of injured. I have directed district admin, Police, SDRF & Health Dept to provide every possible assistance to those affected,” Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha posted on X.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s office said that all necessary assistance is being extended to the affected families. “Chief Minister has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic road accident involving a passenger bus travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. The Chief Minister affirmed that the government stands firmly with the victims and their families in this hour of grief, and that all necessary assistance is being extended,” the Chief Minister’s office said.
“Just now spoke to DC Udhampur, Minga Sherpa, after learning about a tragic road accident, less than an hour ago, at village Kanote, involving a public transport bus on its way from Ramnagar to Udhampur. The rescue operation has been immediately undertaken. Heavy casualties are expected. All possible assistance is being provided,” Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“The injured will be shifted for medical aid. Arrangements being made to airlift the seriously injured. I am in constant touch with the local administration as well as our local workers team led by Rajinder Sharma,” he added.