Jammu Apr 20 (NVI): In a major accident in Jammu and Kashmir, 21 people were killed and 61 others injured after their bus fell into a gorge in Udhampur district today.
The ill-fated bus was on its way from Ramnagar to Udhampur town when the mishap took place, officials said.
The injured have been shifted to District Hospital Udhampur, while one critically injured person is being airlifted to Government Medical College, Jammu.
“21 casualties so far and 61 injured. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families. All possible assistance is being provided. My office is in constant touch,” said Union Minister and MP from Udhampur Jitendra Singh in a social media post.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also announced ex-gratia relief for the victims from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
An official statement said ₹2 lakh will be given to the next of kin of each deceased, ₹1 lakh to those seriously injured, and ₹25,000 to those with minor injuries.
The administration is overseeing rescue and relief operations, and further details are awaited.(NVI)
