22 dead, 70 injured as bus falls in gorge on Jammu-Poonch highway
The accident took place at Tanda Morh in the Akhnoor region while the bus was headed to the Shiv Khori shrine in the Reasi district.
A bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras rolled into a deep gorge on the Jammu-Poonch Highway leading to the tragic deaths of at least 22 individuals and injuring more than 70.
The accident took place at Tanda Morh in the Akhnoor region while the bus was headed to the Shiv Khori shrine in the Reasi district.
Deputy Commissioner of Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, confirmed the accident, saying, “A bus carrying passengers from Hathras, Uttar Pradesh has met with an accident near Tanda, Akhnoor in Jammu.”
Immediate rescue efforts were attempted by locals and nearby motorists even before police and emergency services arrived at the scene.
The injured were quickly transported to the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu and the sub-district hospital in Akhnoor.
“Tragedy on Jammu-Poonch Highway: Bus Accident Claims Lives”
Inspector Tariq Ahmed, Station House Officer of Akhnoor police station, provided details about the incident stating, “The accident took place at about 12:35 PM at Tungi Morh, 12 km from Akhnoor, on the Jammu-Poonch national highway.” The bus fell approximately 150 to 200 feet into the gorge, and it is believed that the driver may have been sleepy. “At the turn, the bus rolled down around 150 to 200 feet into the gorge,” Ahmed said.
Witnesses described a petrifying scene. Amar Chand, one of the survivors, stated, “A car was coming from the opposite direction. The driver tried to negotiate a blind curve but failed, resulting in the vehicle rolling down into the gorge.” This account was echoed by Jammu and Kashmir Transport Commissioner Rajinder Singh Tara, who suggested that the driver might have fallen asleep and missed the turn.
Top officials expressed condolences and vowed support for the victims and their families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his sorrow on social media, stating, “Anguished by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in Akhnoor. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. Rs. 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each deceased due to the bus mishap. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, also conveyed his grief. “The bus accident in Akhnoor, Jammu is heart-rending. I condole the loss of lives and pray to the almighty to give the bereaved families the strength to bear the irreparable loss. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he stated on Twitter
The bus, registered in Uttar Pradesh, was en route to the Shiv Khori shrine in Reasi district. After visiting Shiv Khori, the pilgrims had planned to visit the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra.
Among the deceased was Dharampati, 42, wife of Radhay Sham from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. The identities of the other victims, including two children, have not yet been confirmed.
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