Jammu and Kashmir: 11 dead, 24 injured in bus accident
A minibus skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Poonch district.
Eleven persons died and 24 were injured after a minibus fell into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Wednesday, reported ANI
The bus, which was allegedly overloaded, skidded off the road while it was on its way to Poonch from Gali Maidan, reported PTI. The accident took place near Brari Nallah in the border belt of Sawjian Mandi around 8.30 am.
Security personnel are conducting the rescue operation in the area, while the injured person have been shifted to hospital in Mandi, Tehsildar Shehzad Latif told ANI.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh ex gratia for the families of the deceased.
Saddened by loss of lives due to a road accident in Sawjian, Poonch. Condolences to bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Rs. 5 lakh would be given to the next of kin of deceased. Directed Police and Civil authorities to provide best possible treatment to the injured.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) September 14, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased travellers and Rs 50,000 to the injured in the accident.
The loss of lives due to an accident in Poonch is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones. Wishing the injured a speedy recovery. Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 14, 2022
“Shocked to hear about the unfortunate accident at Sawajian Mandi in Poonch,” former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti said in a tweet. “Deepest condolences to the grieving families and prayers for the injured.”
Shocked to hear about the unfortunate accident at Sawajian Mandi in Poonch. Deepest condolences to the grieving families & prayers for the injured.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 14, 2022
Jammu Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also expressed his grief in a tweet.
“Very sorry to hear about the tragic loss of lives in a bus accident in Poonch,” Abdullah wrote. “May the souls of the departed rest in peace and may the injured make a swift recovery.”
Very sorry to hear about the tragic loss of lives in a bus accident in Poonch. May the souls of the departed rest in peace & may the injured make a swift recovery.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) September 14, 2022