New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other political leaders on Wednesday expressed their condolences regarding the bus accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda that has left at least 36 people dead.
In a post in Hindi on platform X, Murma said, "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."
At least 36 people were killed and 19 injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda. The bus carrying passengers skidded off the road and rolled down into a 300-foot-deep gorge in Doda district on Wednesday.
Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said, "The incident that happened in Doda is very unfortunate in which several people died and 19 injured were brought to GMC hospital in Doda. Of them, 4 people were critical and have been airlifted to Jammu."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the bus accident was distressing.
"My condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest," Modi said on X.
He announced that an ex gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each would be given to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged authorities to speed up the relief and rescue work.
"Pained and anguished to hear about the terrible bus tragedy in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir which has resulted in loss of many precious lives. We urge the authorities to expedite the rescue and relief work," he said in a post on X.
"In this hour of grief, our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. May they get the strength to overcome their losses," he said.
Officials said the bus bearing registration number JK02CN-6555 was reportedly carrying around 40 passengers. They said it skidded off the road near Trungal-Assar on the Batote-Kishtwar national highway and fell 300 feet downhill.
Manoj Sinha and three former chief ministers of the erstwhile state expressed condolences over the loss of lives.
"Extremely pained by the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Assar, Doda. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families & wishing for a speedy recovery of those injured in the accident. Directed Div Com & Dist Admin to provide all necessary assistance to affected persons," Sinha posted on X.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also expressed grief over the loss of lives. "Deeply shocked & saddened about the tragic road accident at Assar in Doda. Deepest condolences to the families of those feared dead & hope the administration expedites rescue operations," she posted on X.