Ten dead as bus falls into gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda

Rescue operation underway after a bus carrying passengers fell into a gorge, in Doda district of Jammu & Kashmir, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. At least 10 people were killed. PTI Photo

In a devastating incident, at least people lost their lives when a bus carrying passengers skidded off the road and tumbled down a 300-foot gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Wednesday, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar told wire agency PTI.

The ill-fated bus, bearing registration number JK02CN-6555, was reportedly transporting around 40 passengers. Officials stated that the accident occurred near Trungal-Assar on the Batote-Kishtwar national highway.

A swift rescue operation has been initiated, and some bodies have already been recovered, according to officials. The Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed the incident, stating, "A bus rolled down a gorge in the Assar area of Doda, 5 people have died, and the rescue operation is ongoing."

Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh through a post on the microblogging site X confirmed the loss of lives and informed that the injured had been shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar and Government Medical College Doda. Singh mentioned that he had spoken to the Doda District Commissioner, Harvinder Singh, and assured that all possible help is being extended to the injured.

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Singh also mentioned in his post, "Helicopter service to be arranged for shifting the more injured ones. All possible help, as required, is being provided. I am in constant touch."

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed condolences in a post on X, stating, "Deeply shocked & saddened about the tragic road accident at Assar in Doda. Deepest condolences to the families of those feared dead & hope the administration expedites rescue operations."

Five killed, three injured in road accident in Haryana's Kurukshetra

Meanwhile, five people were killed and three others injured after their car crashed into another vehicle after hitting a divider in Haryana's Kurukshetra, police said on Wednesday. The accident occurred near Thikri village on the national highway on Tuesday night,

The car driver coming from Pehowa side lost control over the vehicle, rammed into the divider and then hit another vehicle coming from the opposite direction on the other side of the road, a police official said. (with inputs from agencies)