The mini bus, according to initial reports, appeared to be carrying excess passengers. (Express photo)At least 35 passengers were killed, leaving 17 injured on Monday morning when a minibus fell into a deep gorge along Keshwan-Thakrai road in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, police officials said. The mini bus, according to initial reports, appeared to be carrying excess passengers.
Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Angrez Singh confirmed the death toll. Of the 17 injured, five are in critical condition.
Choppers were flown in and three passengers were airlifted from the site to Jammu Government Medical College Hospital. A rescue operation is underway as more helicopters are being flown in.
Meanwhile, sources said the bus was on its way to Kishtwar at that time when the driver lost control over the steering on a curve.
The locals immediately swung into action to bring the dead and the injured on the road. The police and security forces from nearby areas also reached the site to launch a rescue operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death saying, “The accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar is heart-wrenching. We mourn all those who lost their lives and express condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest.”
The accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar is heart-wrenching. We mourn all those who lost their lives and express condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 1, 2019
Union Minister for Home Affair Amit Shah expressed sorrow on the deaths and wrote on Twitter, “Extremely saddened to learn about the loss of lives due to a road accident in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones. I pray of the speedy recovery of those injured.”
Other leaders including the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, PDP chief and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference Umar Farooq too grieved the death and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
