M S Nazki
In a tragic incident, 38 people including nine women were killed and 18 injured when a bus carrying passengers skidded off the road and rolled down into a 300-foot gorge in Doda district on Wednesday, officials said.
They told that the bus (JK02CN-6555) with 56 passengers onboard skidded off the road near Trungal Assar area on the Batote-Kishtwar highway and rolled down 300 feet downhill, leading to death of 38 people and injuries to 18 injured.
Soon after the accident at around 12 noon, a massive rescue operation was launched by locals, police and army.
The injured were first taken to a hospital in Doda and later some of them were airlifted to the GMC hospital in Jammu.
SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom confirmed to GNS that 38 people have died and 18 others were in injured and are under treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Raviti Devi, Vishu Thakur, Chuni Lal, Davinder Singh, Ashu Parihar, Renuka Parihar, Shiv Nath, Raghu Nath, Shakeel Ahmed, Hemanshu Raina, Rita Devi, Subash Chander, Javad Ahmed, Rajesh Kumar, Nizam Din, Swama Devi, Bhagwan Singh, Ratna Devi, Mohammad Azad, Mohammad Yousif, Dharminder Saghal, Anuradha, Jasveer, Simran Devi, Suresh Kumar Karsh, Nadeem, Dilshad, Mohd., Roshan Lal, Munish Kumar, Arun Kumar, Etwari Devi, Dhani Ram, Ajgiya Bai, Rangeel Singh, Sunil Manhas and Bishan Lal while identity of the two persons was established immediately. Except Etwari Devi and Aigiya Bhai being residents of Chhattisgarh and NAdeem and Dilsahd of Meerat and Badhana, all the deceased are locals being residents of Doda, Udhampur, Kathua and Kishtwar, they said. Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh that the “bus was not being run on the right side, which resulted in the accident.” “We have checked all the details of the vehicle. May be it was not being driven in the right manner. The vehicle jumped over the crash barriers and rolled down,” he said, adding, “An inquiry will be held into the incident.”
The Indian Army said that it in collaboration with civil administration, conducted a swift rescue operation in response to the grievous accident at Assar, approximately 4 km from ASSAR towards Batote”.
“The Indian Army expresses its deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragic accident. The collaborative efforts with the civil administration underline the commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens in times of crisis,” army said in a statement.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Assar, Doda today.
“Extremely pained by the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Assar, Doda. My heartfelt condolences to the 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,” the Lt Governor tweeted.
Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the unfortunate bus accident in Assar, Doda.
He has also approved an amount of Rs.1 lakh for those injured and assured all possible assistance to the affected families.
The Lt Governor tweeted: 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. J&K UT Administration will provide every possible assistance to the affected families.
Also Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, took stock of the measures taken by the District and Divisional administration regarding the rescue and relief activities to ensure that all necessary steps are taken, according to an official statement.
Dr Mehta expressed his shock and anguish over the tragic accident. He called for looking into all the causes that could have resulted into the incident.
He made out that the administration would make every effort for plugging the loopholes identified by investigation. He stressed on intensifying measures that would ensure there is no loss of life in such a manner in future.
The Chief Secretary also enquired from the concerned Divisional and Deputy Commissioner about the status of rescue measures taken so far and removal of injured to the hospitals. He also asked the health department to extend best possible medical care to the injured. He instructed them to make the treatment readily available to them so that they have speedy recovery.
The Chief Secretary also stated that the LG Administration is together with the affected families in this hour of pain and loss. He made out that all measures of rehabilitation would be taken for the bereaved families and those injured in this accident.
It was said that few severely injured persons were shifted to GMC Doda and GMC Jammu as per the requirement of their treatment. It was given out that all the possible help is being provided to them as per the directions of the LG.
On the occasion the Chief Secretary also offered his sincere condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the full and quick recovery of those who were injured in the tragic accident.
