On Thursday, a tragic bus accident in Jammu’s Akhnoor district claimed the lives of at least 22 pilgrims, including nine women and two children. The incident also left 57 others injured, according to officials.
Inspector Tariq Ahmed, the station house officer of Akhnoor police station, reported that the accident occurred around 12:35 PM at Tungi Morh. This location is about 12 kilometers from Akhnoor on the Jammu-Poonch national highway. The pilgrims were on their way to the Shiv Khori shrine, a sacred site dedicated to Lord Shiva near Reasi town, which is 50 kilometers away.
#UPDATE | Akhnoor bus accident | 21 people dead and 40 injured after a bus rolled down a deep gorge. Bodies shifted to Sub District Hospital (SDH) Akhnoor. Rescue operation underway: J&K Police
— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2024
Inspector Ahmed mentioned that the exact number of passengers on the bus is still unclear as rescue operations are ongoing. Local residents joined the efforts to help the injured and retrieve the bodies from the gorge.
Dr. Saleem Khan, the block medical officer of Akhnoor sub-division, confirmed that 22 people had died and 58 were injured. The injured were rushed to the government medical college and hospital in Jammu, while some received treatment at the sub-district hospital in Akhnoor.
The Akhnoor SHO suggested that the driver might have been drowsy, which could have caused the bus to veer off the road. The bus rolled down approximately 150 to 200 feet into the gorge. A local witness reported that the bus was traveling too fast when it approached the curve, leading to the fatal plunge.
Jammu Deputy Commissioner Sachin Kumar Vaishya confirmed the accident in a post on ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter, stating that rescue operations were in full swing.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed their sorrow over the loss of lives. Prime Minister Modi announced financial aid for the victims’ families: Rs. 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 for each injured person.
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.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 30, 2024
The community has been deeply affected by this tragedy. The swift response from local residents, officials, and medical personnel highlights the collective effort to manage the aftermath of the accident. The government’s financial aid aims to provide some relief to the victims’ families during this difficult time.
Responding to the tragic bus accident in Akhnoor, Jammu, authorities have announced financial support for the victims’ families. A sum of Rs 5 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased individual, while Rs 50,000 will be allocated for the treatment of those injured in the incident. This ex-gratia assistance aims to alleviate the financial burden on the affected families during this challenging time.
Akhnoor bus accident | An ex-gratia of Rs 5 Lakh to be given to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the tragic bus accident in Akhnoor, Jammu.
(Source: J&K LG Office)
— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2024
The tragic bus accident in Akhnoor has resulted in significant loss and injury, with rescue operations continuing to uncover the full extent of the tragedy. The incident underscores the importance of road safety and the need for continued vigilance to prevent such accidents in the future.
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