Twenty-two passengers were killed and 57 others were injured after a bus rolled down a deep gorge in Jammu’s Akhnoor area on Thursday afternoon.
“Twenty-two persons have died in this mishap. Presently, 57 injured are under treatment at the Government Medical College, Jammu, and at the SDH (Sub District Hospital), Akhnoor,” Sachin Kumar Vaishya, District Magistrate, Jammu, said.
The District Magistrate also “initiated a magisterial inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident”. “An Additional District Magistrate, Jammu, shall submit a report within seven days,” an official spokesperson said.
The district administration is in communication with the authorities in Hathras and Aligarh, where most of the passengers hailed from.
The accident took place near Chungi Morh on the Jammu-Poonch highway. The vehicle, which rolled down into the gorge and covered a distance of around 200 meters, was badly damaged.
“The bus, carrying passengers from Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, met with an accident near Tanda, Akhnoor, in Jammu,” an official said. The vehicle was headed for the Shiv Khori yatra in Reasi district.
President Droupadi Murmu has expressed her grief over the accident. “Pained beyond words to learn about the loss of lives in a bus accident in #Akhnoor near Jammu. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery of the injured,” the President said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in Akhnoor. “My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon,” PM Modi said, in a post on X.
He also announced ₹2 lakhs as ex-gratia for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the incident. “The bus accident in Akhnoor, Jammu, is heart-rending. I condole the loss of lives and pray to the Almighty to give the bereaved families the strength to bear the irreparable loss. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Mr. Sinha said.
He directed the administration “to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved families”.
Published - May 30, 2024 05:37 pm IST
