A devastating road accident occurred in the Ramnagar area of Udhampur district on Monday morning. An overcrowded passenger bus skidded off a hilly road and fell 150 feet into a deep gorge near Kanote village.
Details of the Accident
The incident happened around 8:30 AM. The bus was traveling from Ramnagar to Katwalt when the driver lost control at a sharp turn. Local residents, the police, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) worked together to rescue passengers from the difficult terrain. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
According to health officials, most of the victims died from severe head injuries and internal bleeding.
Casualties and Injuries
- Deceased: 17 people lost their lives. Most were from nearby villages like Birnoo, Amroh, and Katwalt.
- Injured: 32 people were hurt. While many are being treated locally, 12 critically injured passengers were airlifted to Jammu for advanced care. Six people are currently on ventilator support.
Government Support and Compensation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness over the tragedy and announced financial help from the PM National Relief Fund:
- Rs 2 Lakh for the families of those who died.
- Rs 50,000 for each injured person.
President Droupadi Murmu, LG Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also shared their condolences and directed officials to provide the best possible medical care.
Inquiry Launched
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus was overcrowded, with some people even sitting on the roof. They also mentioned the driver was speeding and trying to avoid a pothole when the crash happened.
The government has ordered a magisterial inquiry to find the exact cause of the accident. The driver, who is also injured, will be questioned soon.
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