J&K: At least 35 killed as bus rolls down into gorge in Kishtwar

At least 35 passengers were killed and a dozen were injured after a mini bus rolled down a hilly road and fell into deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Monday (July 1), officials said.

The bus, which way on its way to Kishtwar from Keshwan, skidded off the road at Sirgwari and rolled down into the gorge around 7:30 am.

Bodies of 20 passengers have been recovered so far, IGP, Jammu, M K Sinha said.

Earlier, police officials had said that 24 people have been killed in the accident and rescue operation is underway.

Calling the accident a “heart-wrenching” incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the families of the deceased.

The accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar is heart-wrenching. We mourn all those who lost their lives and express condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 1, 2019

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and leader of JKNC Omar Abdullah also expressed his grief through a tweet.

Terrible news coming in about the high death toll in a bus accident in Kishtwar. Condolences to the families of the deceased & prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) 1 July 2019

In a similar accident four days ago, Thursday (June 27) twelve students died and seven were injured when their mini bus fell into a gorge in Shopian.

Likewise, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury also has expressed grief over the accident through a tweet.

Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved in this tragic accident. https://t.co/Tm6HLQjpgO

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) July 1, 2019