A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded on Thursday afternoon in Akhnoor, Jammu, as a bus carrying pilgrims from Hathras, UP, to the sacred site of Shiv Khori, veered off the road and plummeted into a 150-foot-deep ravine. The catastrophic accident claimed the lives of 22 people and left 57 injured. The incident occurred near Tungi Morh (Chowki Choura) under the jurisdiction of Thana Akhnoor. Prime Minister Modi has expressed his sorrow over the disaster, announcing financial aid of INR 2 lakhs for the families of the deceased and INR 50,000 for the injured.
According to a police spokesperson, the accident occurred around 12:35 PM as bus number UP81CT-4058 fell into the gorge after beginning its journey in Uttar Pradesh. The bus was en route from Kurukshetra, Haryana, to the Pouni region in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, carrying devotees to Shiv Khori.
The bodies were transported to the Akhnoor Sub-District Hospital, while the injured were initially taken to the Akhnoor Hospital before 36 of them, six critically, were moved by ambulance to the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu. Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal of the hospital, has reported that over 36 passengers have been admitted to GMC, with six in critical condition.
Source: aajtak
Amar Chand, one of the injured receiving treatment at Akhnoor Hospital, shared how the bus encountered an oncoming car and in an attempt to navigate a blind turn, the driver lost control, leading the bus to plunge into the gorge. Survivors have disclosed that they were visiting Shiv Khori for a pilgrimage when the accident took place.
Source: aajtak
Senior Police Superintendent (Traffic) Faisal Qureshi, the Transport Commissioner, and other officials visited the accident site. The SSP suggested that the bus didn't appear to be overcrowded. Both the SSP and the Deputy Commissioner of Jammu visited GMC Hospital to inquire about the injured. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his grief over the loss of lives in this heartbreaking accident and prayed for the strength of the bereaved families to endure this irreparable loss, as well as for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Source: aajtak
Prime Minister Modi has expressed condolences over the bus tragedy, stating he is deeply saddened by the deaths that resulted from the Akhnoor bus accident. His sympathies are with those who have lost loved ones, praying for the swift healing of the injured. He has announced that families of each victim will receive INR 2 lakhs, while the injured will be provided with INR 50,000 in financial assistance.
