An overcrowded private bus plunged down a steep incline in Udhampur on Monday, killing at least 21 people and injuring 29 others after hitting an auto-rickshaw before overturning and landing upside down on the road below.
An Indian Army convoy driving along the winding stretch quickly reached the scene and led rescue operations after the driver reportedly lost control while passing a sharp blind bend near Kagort village in Ramnagar area around 10:00 am.
Officials said the bus was negotiating a sharp curve on a hilly stretch when the driver lost control, causing it to plunge about 30 feet down a steep, rocky slope before coming to rest on the road below.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udhampur-Reasi Range Shiv Kumar Sharma added that after the bus went out of control on a bend, it also hit an auto-rickshaw on the lower road and its passengers were injured, according to Hindustan Times.
“The bus on its way from Ramnagar to Udhampur lost control while negotiating a hilly section, fell down a slope and crushed an autorickshaw as it landed upside down on the road below,” PTI quoted Sharma as saying.
The vehicle was later straightened using a hydraulic crane, the DIG said.
He described the incident as deeply tragic and added, “We stand in solidarity with the families who have lost their loved ones. Jammu and Kashmir Police stand with them in this hour of grief.”
Shiv Kumar Sharma further said that Nalin Prabhat and Bhim Sen Tuti are monitoring the situation over phone.
The exact cause of the accident is yet to be officially confirmed, though preliminary reports suggest that the driver could not negotiate a sharp bend, according to PTI. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
PM Modi announces ₹2 lakh ex-gratia to the relatives of the victims
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of those who died in the Udhampur bus accident.
Heading to X, the Prime Minister said, “I am pained to hear about the loss of lives due to the bus accident in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. My sincere condolences to those who lost their near and dear ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
“Ex gratia Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident. The injured would get Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi,” the post added.
