21 dead, over 40 injured when bus slid into an abyss in Jammu’s Akhnoor

Jammu and Kashmir Transport Commissioner, Rajinder Singh Tara said that the driver was not able in negotiating a stop that led to the accident.

Civilians and police officers in the vicinity of the bus, which slid off the roadway and plunged into a gorge near Chowki Choura, in Jammu district on the 30th of May 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

At least 21 people were killed and a total of 47 injured when the bus plunged into the gorge of Jammu’s Akhnoor region in the afternoon of Thursday.

It was reported that the J&K Police said the bodies of 21 dead passengers were taken towards the Sub District Hospital (SDH), Akhnoor. “Seven injured patients were taken to SDH, Akhnoor and 40 others were admitted to the Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. A rescue operation is under way,” the police said.

The incident took place close to Chungi Morh on the Jammu-Poonch highway. The car, which was slid down the gorge and covered about 200 meters was severely damaged.

“The bus, carrying passengers from Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, met with an accident near Tanda, Akhnoor, in Jammu,” an official told. The bus was heading for the Shiv Khori yatra, which is located in Reasi district.

Initial reports indicated that at least eight women and two children were among those killed.

President Droupadi Murmu has expressed her sadness over the incident. “Pained more than words find out about the loss of life caused by a fatal accident on a bus near #Akhnoor in Jammu. My sincere condolences go out to the families of the deceased. I wish a speedy recovery for the wounded,” the President said.

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the incident. “The bus accident that occurred in Akhnoor, Jammu, is an incredibly heartbreaking incident. I mourn the loss of life and ask the Almighty to grant the grieving families the strength they need to bear the loss that is irreparable. I pray for the quick healing of the wounded,” Mr. Sinha stated.

The president directed the administration “to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved families”.

Premier PM Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the loss of life caused by a bus accident in Akhnoor. “My heart is with the families who lost loved relatives. I hope that those wounded recover quickly,” PM Modi said in a blog post on X.

He also announced Rs2 Lakhs as a gratuity for relatives to each deceased person and Rs50,000 for those injured.