In a heartbreaking incident that unfolded on a remote mountain road in the Doda area of Indian-occupied Kashmir, at least 30 lives were tragically cut short, and dozens more left injured, when a 42-seater passenger bus veered off a Himalayan highway.
The bus, en route from Kishtwar town to southern Jammu city, slid down a steep slope, plummeting about 660 feet (200 meters) onto an older road in the mountainous region.
PM Modi offers condolences
The mishap, which occurred on Wednesday, has been attributed to the driver's negligence, reportedly striking the crash bar of the road. Police officer Sunil Gupta stated that over 25 people were injured, with at least 10 of them in critical condition.
Local authorities and residents swiftly mobilized to the scene, initiating a rescue operation to retrieve survivors from the wreckage.
A distressing video clip from the site portrayed a grim scene of lifeless bodies as rescuers endeavored to assist the injured, transporting them to nearby health facilities. Individuals in critical condition were rushed to a hospital in Jammu for urgent medical attention.
Negligence blamed as death toll rises
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the incident, posting on social media platform X, "The accident was distressing. My condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones.
I pray that the injured recover at the earliest." He also announced government compensation of over $2,400 for the families of the deceased and $600 for those injured.
Home Minister Amit Shah conveyed his deep anguish in a post on X, emphasizing the ongoing rescue efforts in the gorge where the bus met with the accident.
India's ongoing struggle with high road death rates
India, grappling with one of the highest road death rates globally, has frequently witnessed such tragedies, often attributed to factors like reckless driving, poorly maintained roads, and aging vehicles. Last year, a century-old cable suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat claimed at least 132 lives.
In a subsequent update, it was reported that the death toll rose to 36, with 19 others injured, as the bus fell 300 feet downhill. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh shared the somber news on social media, mentioning that a helicopter service was being arranged to airlift the seriously injured to medical facilities.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences, stating in a post in Hindi on X, "I am deeply saddened by the news of the unfortunate death of several passengers in a bus accident in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir." Prime Minister Modi's office added that a compensation of ₹2 lakh each would be provided to the families of those killed, with ₹50,000 offered to the injured.
