36 Killed As Bus Plunges Into Gorge In Jammu & Kashmir

Thirty-six people were killed and 19 others injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda. The bus, carrying 55 passengers, skidded off the road near Trungal-Assar on the Batote-Kishtwar national highway and fell 300 feet downhill, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said.

"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," Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said. He added that the injured are being shifted to goverment-run hospitals in Doda and Kishtwar.

Dr Singh also said a helicopter service was being arranged to airlift the injured.

"Injured being shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar and GMC Doda as per requirement. Helicopter service to be arranged for shifting the more injured ones. All possible help, as required being provided," Mr Singh said on X (formerly Twitter).

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences.

"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).

The Prime Minister's office said, "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."

It added that the Prime Minister has said that a compensation of 2 lakh Ruppes each would be given to the families of those killed in the accident. Those injured will receive an assistance of 50,000 Rupees. _NDTV