36 Dead, 19 Injured As Bus Plunges Into Gorge In J&K's Doda. PM Modi Announces Ex Gratia

Several people were feared dead after a bus fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district.

Several people are feared dead after a bus plunged into gorge in J&K's Doda

Source : PTI

At least 36 people were killed while 19 others have been wounded with six seriously injured after a bus plunged into a deep gorge in the Assar area of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district earlier on Wednesday. The bus was on its way to Jammu from Kishtwar when the accident took place. Union minister Jitendra Singh informed on X that five people were killed and the injured are being shifted to District Hospital in Kishtwar and Government Medical College in Doda. 

He also said that he spoke to Doda District Commissioner Harvinder Singh and took stock of the situation. 

VIDEO | Several people feared dead after a bus, travelling from Kishtwar to Jammu, plunged into a deep gorge in Assar area of the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir earlier today.

(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/JiYR1kvfoT

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 15, 2023

Helicopter service is being arranged to shift more injured, he added.

"Just now spoke to DC #Doda, J&K, Sh Harvinder Singh after receiving information about the bus accident in Assar region. Unfortunately 5 are dead. Injured being shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar and GMC Doda as per requirement," Singh said in a post on X.

Just now spoke to DC #Doda, J&K, Sh Harvinder Singh after receiving information about the bus accident in Assar region. Unfortunately 5 are dead. Injured being shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar and GMC Doda as per requirement. Helicopter service to be
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— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) November 15, 2023

"Helicopter service to be arranged for shifting the more injured ones. All possible help, as required being provided. I am in constant touch," he added. 

The bus carrying registration number JK02CN-6555 was reportedly carrying round 40 passengers, officials said, according to PTI. The bus skidded off the road near Trungal-Assar on the Batote-Kishtwar national highway and fell 300 feet downhill, they added. 

A rescue operation was launched following the accident and some bodies were retrieved, the officials said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow at the loss of lives and prayed for the recovery of the injured. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured people.