At least 21 people died and 40 others were injured on Thursday after a bus carrying pilgrims skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge near Akhnoor area of Jammu.
The bus, ferrying passengers from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, was headed towards the holy Shiv Khori shrine in Reasi district when the tragedy struck. The accident occurred close to Kali Dhar Mandir on the Jammu-Poonch highway.
Rescue operations were swiftly launched, with the injured being rushed to a nearby hospital in Akhnoor and the Government Medical College in Jammu for treatment.
“A bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh has met with an accident. Rescue operations are underway,” confirmed the District Magistrate of Jammu in a statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished for a speedy recovery for the injured. He also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
The Chenab Times News Desk