Akhnoor bus accident: 22 people killed, 40 injured in J&K as bus falls in a gorge

As many as 22 people were killed and more than 40 were injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor region after a bus rolled down a deep gorge on Thursday.

The bodies of the deceased have been shifted to Sub District Hospital (SDH), Akhnoor, police said.

Rescue operations are underway, they added.



As per a PTI report, the accident took place at the Tungi-Morh in the Chowki Chora belt of the district. The bus rolled around 150 feet down into the gorge.

At about 12:35 pm, the bus bearing registration number UP81CT-4058 fell into the gorge, killing 21 passengers and injuring 47, a police spokesperson told PTI.

The bus was carrying passengers from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, and also devotees from Haryana's Kurukshetra and was headed towards Shiv Khori in the Pouni area of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.

According to Jammu and Kashmir Transport Commissioner, Rajinder Singh Tara, the driver was unable to negotiate a cut which resulted in the bus accident.

The Prime Minister's Office has announced Rs 2 lakh for the next kin of each deceased and the injured would be given Rs 50,000.

"Anguished by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in Akhnoor. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon. Rs. 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each deceased due to the bus mishap. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the PMO said in a post on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also expressed her pain over the tragic accident.

"Pained beyond words to learn about the loss of lives in a bus accident in Akhnoor near Jammu. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery of the injured," she said in a post on X.