36 killed, 19 injured as bus falls into deep gorge in JK's Doda; PM Modi announces ex-gratia
Jammu/IBNS: At least 36 passengers were killed and 19 others injured as the bus they were travelling in skidded off and rolled down into a 300-feet deep gorge in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs. 2 lakh each as ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased.
Police said that at least 36 people were killed and 19 injured after a passenger bus fell into a deep gorge in the Assar area of Doda district.
"A bus skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge near Trungal-Assar on Batote-Kishtwar road," they said.
Police added that a rescue team rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.
"Thirty-six passengers have died in the tragic incident while 19 have been injured, some of them critically. The critically injured people have been airlifted to Jammu for treatment,” they said.
PM Modi expressed grief over the tragic accident.
“The bus accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir is distressing. My condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured,” PMO India said in a post on X.
The bus accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir is distressing. My condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 15, 2023
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs.…
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.
Deeply anguished to learn about the loss of precious lives due to a tragic bus accident at Doda, Jammu and Kashmir. The local administration is conducting the rescue operation in the gorge where the bus had the accident. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 15, 2023
Union Minister Jitendra Singh posted on X: "Saddened to share the update from DC #Doda Harvinder Singh from the spot of the accident. The injured are being shifted to GMC Doda and GMC #Jammu as per requirement. All possible help being provided. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families."
Saddened to share the update from DC #Doda Sh Harvinder Singh from the spot of the accident. Unfortunately 36 persons have died and 19 injured, out of whom 6 injured are serious. The injured are being shifted to GMC Doda and
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) November 15, 2023
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Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in an official communique issued by the Raj Bhavan has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
“Extremely pained by the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Assar, Doda. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & wishing for a speedy recovery of those injured in the accident. Directed Div Com & Dist Admin to provide all necessary assistance to affected persons,” the Lt Governor said.
[With UNI inputs]