10 dead, over 50 injured as bus going from Amritsar to Katra falls into gorge on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway

JAMMU: As many as 10 people were killed and 57 injured after a bus they were travelling in fell into a deep gorge on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Tuesday morning.
According to officials, the bus was on its way to Katra from Amritsar when the incident took place near Jhajjar Kotli.

"The bus was going from Amritsar to Katra, towards Mata Vaishno Devi and rolled down the Jhajjar Kotli bridge," Jammu SSP Chandan Kohli.
"Ten people died and around 55 are injured. All have been evacuated. Rescue operation is almost complete. SDRF team is also present on the spot. The bus was carrying more passengers than the prescribed limit and will be probed during the probe," he said.
He added that a part of the bus still enshrouded and the rescue operation is under way.

"Bodies retrieved from the accident site were sent to the morgue, a recovery vehicle (crane) was also pressed into service to see if someone is trapped under the bus," said Ashok Choudhary, assistant commandant, CRPF.
"Ambulances were called and the injured were immediately taken to hospital. Bodies have also been taken to the hospital," said Ashok Choudhary, assistant commandant, CRPF.
He said, "We are being told that the bus was coming from Amritsar and that people from Bihar were onboard. They perhaps lost their way to Katra and reached here."
"Those critically injured have been brought to Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu and other injured people have been admitted at Local Public health Centre," said Jammu deputy commissioner (DC) Avny Lavasa.
After meeting the people injured in the bus accident, J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh said, "We are trying to provide the best possible care to the injured."

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said the death of pilgrims in a bus accident in Jammu was extremely unfortunate and offered her deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. She also wished speedy recovery to the injured people.

"The death of many pilgrims in the bus accident in Jammu is extremely unfortunate. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. I wish the injured people a speedy recovery," the President tweeted.
Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday expressed pain over the loss of lives in Jammu bus accident.
Sinha also directed administration to provide all possible assistance and treatment to the injured.

In a condolence message, office of LG J&K tweeted, "Extremely pained by the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Jhajjar Kotli, Jammu. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & prayers for speedy recovery of the injured. Directed district administration to provide all possible assistance & treatment to the injured."

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed condolences over the death of Bihar natives in the bus accident in Jhajjar Kotli in Jammu.
He announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin.
Watch At least seven people killed in bus accident on Jammu-Srinagar Highway