Jammu, May 30, 2024:
In a tragic incident, 21 people lost their lives and 40 others were injured when a bus carrying passengers from Kurukshetra, Haryana, veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in the Tanda area of Akhnoor, Jammu. The bus was on its way to the Shiv Khori area, carrying devotees on a pilgrimage, when the accident occurred.
The mishap took place in the Kalidhar area, near Tungi Morh, Chowki Choura. Officials reported that the bus rolled approximately 150 feet down into the gorge. “A bus carrying devotees from Kurukshetra, Haryana towards Shivkhori, Pouni, when reached near Tungi Morh, Chowki Choura, the said bus rolled down into a deep gorge, as a result of which 21 passengers died and 40 passengers got injured,” stated a police official.
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Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the injured were quickly transported to Akhnoor Hospital and Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu. Narinder Singh, Medical Superintendent of GMC, Jammu, reported, “The first casualties have been received by CSE Akhnoor. They have informed us that they will send around 20-25 patients, out of which 16 patients have already been received. This was a tourist vehicle, and these people (passengers) are not from Jammu, they are from outside.“
Pained beyond words to learn about the loss of lives in a bus accident in Akhnoor near Jammu. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery of the injured.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 30, 2024
Anguished by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in Akhnoor. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 30, 2024
Rs. 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each deceased due to the bus mishap. The injured would be given Rs.…
The bus accident in Akhnoor, Jammu is heart-rending. I condole the loss of lives and pray to the almighty to give the bereaved families the strength to bear the irreparable loss. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) May 30, 2024
The severity of the incident prompted a response from the highest levels of government. President of India, Droupadi Murmu, expressed her condolences on social media, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Pained beyond words to learn about the loss of lives in a bus accident in Akhnoor near Jammu. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery of the injured.“
Rescue operations were conducted by local authorities and emergency responders, who worked tirelessly to retrieve the victims from the gorge. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation, with officials looking into possible factors such as road conditions, bus maintenance, and driver error.
This tragic event has cast a pall over the region, as families mourn their lost loved ones and the injured face a long road to recovery. The local community and authorities are providing support to the affected families, ensuring that they receive the necessary medical care and assistance during this difficult time.
