36 Dead As Bus Plunges Into Gorge In J&K’s Doda; PM Modi Announces Ex-Gratia

Srinagar: Thirty-six people were killed and and 19 others injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda on Wednesday.

According to reports, the bus was en route to Jammu from Kishtwar when it skidded off the road near Trungal-Assar on the Batote-Kishtwar national highway and fell 300 feet downhill. There were around 40 passengers.

“Saddened to share the update from DC #Doda Sh Harvinder Singh from the spot of the accident. Unfortunately 36 persons have died and 19 injured, out of whom 6 injured are serious,” Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh posted on X.

He said that the injured are being shifted to government-run hospitals in Doda and Kishtwar and a helicopter service is being arranged to airlift them.

The reports added that rescue operation is on and some bodies have been retrieved.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.