Two students die, 20 injured as college bus overturns in North Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Two students were killed and 20 others injured when a college bus in which they were travelling overturned in Handwara sub-district of North Kashmir on Saturday, officials said.

The officials said a bus carrying 27 students from Degree College Sogam in Kupwara, who were on a picnic to the popular tourist destination Pahalgam, met with a tragic accident near Vodhpora in Handwara this morning.

The vehicle reportedly skidded off the road and overturned, leaving at least 22 students injured.

“All the injured children were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, one of them was declared dead on arrival,” an official said. “Out of the two critically injured who were shifted to Srinagar hospital, one succumbed to her injuries.”

One of the deceased girls was identified as Tabassum Mushtaq.

A case has been registered in Police Station Handwara and an investigation has been taken up.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and several political leaders expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.

“The loss of two young promising students from GDC Sogam, in the tragic accident near Handwara is a tragedy that weighs heavily on all of us. My deepest condolences to their families in this hour of grief. Prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. We are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring all necessary assistance,” the CM’s Office said on X.