A tragic bus accident occurred in the Assar area of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least 39 people, including six women, and injuring 17 others. The bus, traveling from Kishtwar, skidded off the road and plunged into a 300-foot-deep gorge on the Batote-Kishtwar highway. The driver failed to navigate a sharp curve, resulting in the fatal incident.
A large-scale rescue operation was immediately launched, with police, local volunteers, NGOs, and the Indian Army collaborating to evacuate the injured. The injured were rushed to medical facilities, with some critically injured individuals airlifted to Jammu for specialized treatment. Despite the swift response, two of the critically injured later succumbed to their injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed deep grief over the accident. Modi announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The local administration, along with military personnel, continues to support the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.