In a tragic incident, as many as 39 people were killed and several sustained injuries after a bus fell into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda on Wednesday. According to sources, the bus was going from Kishtwar to Jammu and at least 56 passengers were travelling in it.
The concerned officials have launched a rescue operation to save the passengers. Meanwhile, injured passengers have been rushed to the government hospital in Doda. According to the information received, the overloading of the bus led to the accident as the driver lost control of the vehicle. However, no official confirmation has come so far about the reason of the deadly accident.
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Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh has expressed grief over the incident. He said that he talked to Doda DC and took stock of the situation. "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," he posted on 'X'.
PM Modi announces ex-gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and termed it "distressing". He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. He stated that Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured.
President Murmu expresses grief
"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. I express my condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," Murmu said in a post in Hindi on X, formerly Twitter.
(Inputs from Rahi Kapoor)
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