The plunged into a 300-feet gorge.
Jammu:
Thirty six people were killed and 19 others injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda. The bus skidded off the road near Trungal-Assar on the Batote-Kishtwar national highway and fell 300 feet downhill, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said.
“Saddened to share the update from DC #Doda Sh Harvinder Singh from the spot of the accident. Unfortunately 36 persons have died and 19 injured, out of whom 6 injured are serious,” Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said. He added that the injured are being shifted to goverment-run hospitals in Doda and Kishtwar.
Dr Singh also said a helicopter service was being arranged to airlift the injured.
“Injured being shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar and GMC Doda as per requirement. Helicopter service to be arranged for shifting the more injured ones. All possible help, as required being provided,” Mr Singh said on X (formerly Twitter).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences. ‘The bus accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir is distressing. My condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest,” the PMO posted on X. It added that the Prime Minister has said that a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each would be given to the families of those killed in the accident. Those injured will receive an assistance of Rs 50,000.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condoled the deaths in a post on X.
“Deeply shocked & saddened about the tragic road accident at Assar in Doda. Deepest condolences to the families of those feared dead & hope the administration expedites rescue operations,” Ms Mufti posted on X.