10 dead, many injured as bus plunges into gorge in Jammu

JAMMU — 10 people were killed and at least 57 others injured when a bus skidded off a bridge and fell into a gorge near Jajjar Kotli area in Jammu district, officials said Tuesday. The bus was on its way to Katra, they said.

Soon after the accident, they said, local residents and police rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation. Later SDRF team joined in. The injured were immediately taken to the GMC Hospital in Jammu.

SSP Jammu, Chandan Kohli told the news agency GNS that a case has been registered and investigations were taken up to ascertain the circumstances leading to the accident.

Officials identified the deceased were identified as Kailash Sharma (65) of Lakhisarai, Bihar; Lalita Devi (30) of Amritsar, Punjab; Krish Sharma (12) of Amritsar, Punjab; Arvind Sharma of Amritsar, Punjab; Bimla Devi; Phooli Devi of Uttar Pradesh; Kunti Devi (50); Rajinder (45) of Lakhisarai, Bihar; Ganesh Sharma of Amritsar, Punjab and Julli Devi of Bihar.

“Extremely pained by the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Jhajjar Kotli, Jammu. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & prayers for speedy recovery of the injured,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said. “Directed district administration to provide all possible assistance & treatment to the injured.”

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Tuesday morning went to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu to enquire about the condition of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi bound pilgrims who met with an accident near Jhajjer Kotli here.

The Chief Secretary called the incident highly unfortunate and directed that the injured may be provided best possible medical care.

Moreover, the Chief Secretary prayed for those who lost their lives in the mishap. He extended his heartfelt condolences to their families and said that government would extend all necessary facilities to the victims.

He made out that the government is going to provide adequate relief to the families of the dead and those injured in the mishap. He directed the Divisional Administration to look into the causes of the road accident so that such incidents are avoided in the future.

National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah have expressed profound anguish on the loss of 10 precious lives and injuries to several others in a fateful bus accident that took place near Jhajjar Kotli, Jammu.

They hoped that those who have sustained injuries would recover at the earliest. The duo also impressed upon the local administration to provide all possible assistance to the affected.