jj correspondent
Jammu, Nov 15: At least 39 passengers were killed and 17 others were injured on Wednesday when a bus they were travelling in met with an accident and plunged into a 300-feet deep gorge in Assar area of Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Police said that the bus (JK02CN6555), on its way from Kishtwar to Jammu, fell down into a 300 feet deep gorge near Trungal-Assar on the Batote- Kishtwar national highway.
Rescue teams including SDRF men, Army, Police and locals immediately swung into action and started the rescue operation.
Total 56 passengers were travelling in the vehicle, they said adding, “37 people were brought dead to Government Medical College (GMC) Doda while two died at Jammu GMC after being airlifted while 17 injured people are being treated in the hospitals.”
Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh said, “out of the 56 passengers on board, 37 lost their lives, and 19 are injured.”
“Among the injured people, four have been airlifted to GMC Jammu for special treatment. A thorough examination of the vehicle, including insurance and service life, has been conducted and everything found alright,” he said.
He said that the bus driver also died in the tragic incident and an inquiry has been initiated into the case.
Notably, as per the recently released report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), an alarming total of 4,287 lives were lost due to road accidents from 2018 to 2022 in J&K.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed shock and sadness over the bus accident.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the unfortunate death of several passengers in a bus accident in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. I express my condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Murmu said in a post in Hindi on X, formerly Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the bus accident was distressing. “My condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest,” Modi said on X.
He announced that an ex gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each would be given to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Union Home Amit Shah also condoled the deaths in the accident stating, “deeply anguished to learn about the loss of precious lives due to a tragic bus accident at Doda, Jammu and Kashmir.”
“The local administration is conducting the rescue operation in the gorge where the bus had the accident. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Home Minister, Amit Shah said on X.
“Extremely pained by the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Assar, Doda. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families & wishing for a speedy recovery of those injured in the accident. Directed Div Com & Dist Admin to provide all necessary assistance to affected persons,” Sinha posted on X.
He announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 Lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the unfortunate bus accident in Assar, Doda. Rs. 1 Lakh would be given to those injured.
Four former chief ministers of the erstwhile state and other political leaders also expressed condolences over the loss of lives
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also expressed grief over the loss of lives. “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,” she posted on X.
“JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and VP @OmarAbdullah are extremely shocked and saddened to hear about the road accident at Assar near Trungal in Doda district in which several are feared dead. They have implored the administration to provide all possible help to the injured. In this moment of immense grief, their thoughts and prayers lie with the families of the deceased,” the National Conference posted on X.
Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad: “The accident at Assar, Doda is a human catastrophe & I am sharing the grief of all those hapless families who lost their dear ones in this devastating accident. It is also the need of time to build the road infrastructure of this landlocked region and ensure traffic plying on this road is following rules to avoid such accidents in future. Request LG Manoj Sinha Ji to ensure all possible support to the affected families!”
Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesk Kumar in an official order said that it is imperative to enquire into the circumstances leading to the accident which resulted in the death of several passengers and injuries to others on board. “Therefore, a committee comprising of the following officers is hereby constituted to enquire into the circumstances leading to the tragic incident. The committee shall enquire into the incident and furnish a detailed equity report within a week’s time,” the order reads, adding that the probe committee will be headed by ADM Doda with Superintending Engineer PWD, Doda and ARTO Doda as its members. Meanwhile, the identity of dead and injured is being ascertained. UNI
