Deadly accident claims more than thirty lives in Kishtwar

KISHTWAR — At least 35 people were killed and 07 sustained injuries on Monday morning after a vehicle, they were travelling in, fell into deep gorge at Keshwan area of Kishtwar.

An eyewitness said that an overloaded mini bus bearing registration number JK17- 6787 was on its way from Keshwan to Kishtwar.

“The mini bus fell down into a deep gorge (Nallah),” eyewitness said.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued here, J&K Police spokesman said a Matador bearing registration Number JK 17 – 6787 skidded off the road and fell into gorge near Sirgawari Keshwan village in Kishtwar district today morning.

“The ill fated Matador was on way to Kishtwar from Sirgawari. A team of officers of Kishtwar Police rushed to the spot and rescued the injured and shifted them to District hospital Kishtwar,” the spokesman said.

Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Angrez Singh Raina confirmed the casualties and said the rescue operation is on to retrieve the bodies.

“There are chances that number of dead or injured people may increase once the rescue operation gets completed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Satya Pal Malik has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragic mini bus accident.

In a condolence message, Governor has conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls.

The Raj Bhavan spokesperson informed that few months ago, Governor had directed officers of the Transport Department to take away unfit vehicles and untrained drivers off the road.

“Governor observed that most of the accidents take place due to careless and untrained drivers who drive without any regard for rules and regulations and become reason for losing so many precious lives,” he said.

He quoted Governor saying, “All the reasons for such incidents will be probed thoroughly and strong decisions will be taken in the next SAC meeting to ensure strict action against those responsible for such avoidable incidents.”

Governor has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased and directed the administration to provide best medical treatment to the injured in the accident and wished speedy recovery to them.