Jammu-Kashmir News: Three people have died after their vehicle plunged into the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday morning, an official confirmed. The incident occurred near Prem Nagar, Jammu, with the body of a 70-year-old woman, identified as Poori Devi, recovered so far.
According to Jammu and Kashmir’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) of Traffic, Mukhtiyar Dev Singh, the accident took place at around 8:30 am, at Kandote, between Prem Nagar and Thathri. The victims, two elderly persons, and a 25-year-old youth were en route to Doda when the vehicle reportedly collided while coming from the wrong direction on a 40-foot-wide highway.
The victims have been identified as Ranjeet Kumar (25) and his relatives Beli Ram and Puran Devi who were travelling from Charya village to Jammu when the car plunged into the river, as per news agency PTI.
Jammu-Kashmir News: Accident Happened From Wrong Direction On 40-Foot-Wide Highway, Police Say
Speaking to news agency ANI, DySP Singh said, "They (the passengers) were on their way to Doda, but the accident happened from the wrong direction, and that too on a 40-foot-wide highway." He expressed astonishment that the accident happened despite the wide road, the cause of the same is under investigation.
The official stated that the car had not yet been recovered, and the two other missing individuals are assumed to be trapped inside the vehicle. The rescue operation involved Army recovery vans, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police personnel.
"The body of 70-year-old woman Poorvi Devi has been recovered. It is being said that all three victims are locals of Kandote," the DySP confirmed. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.