Srinagar : A devastating accident occurred on Thursday when a bus veered off the road and plummeted into a deep gorge in the Akhnoor area. The incident, which unfolded on the Jammu-Poonch National Highway (144A), resulted in the loss of 21 lives and left 40 passengers injured.
The Incident Details:
- Location: The ill-fated bus was navigating the Tangli turn in the Choki Chora area of the district when it slipped off the road and plunged into a 150-feet-deep ravine.
- Passenger Demographics: The bus was carrying devotees from Kurukshetra in Haryana, en route to the revered Shivkhodi shrine in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir.
- Probable Cause: According to Jammu and Kashmir Transport Commissioner Rajinder Singh Tara, the driver failed to negotiate the turn, leading to the tragic accident. While the turn itself was routine, it is suspected that the driver may have fallen asleep, causing the bus to miss the crucial maneuver and plunge into the gorge.
- Rescue Efforts: Local police and army personnel swiftly responded to the scene, launching a rescue operation. The injured were rushed to a hospital in Akhnoor, with critical cases referred to the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu.
Expressions of Condolence and Support:
- Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha: The Lieutenant-Governor expressed heartfelt condolences, describing the incident as “heart-wrenching.” He assured that the administration would provide all necessary assistance to the bereaved families and medical care to the injured. Each deceased family will receive an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000.
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