In a tragic accident, at least 19 people were killed and 15 others were injured after an overcrowded passenger bus skidded off the road near Gurnak area of Reasi district in Jammu Division.According to reports received by GNS, the bus, bearing registration number JK02S-0295), was on way to Bakal village from Reasi when it skidded off the road near Gurunak area, resulting in 19 deaths and injuries to 30 others.The reports quoting officials said 19 people died in the accident and 30 have been injured. “Of the thirty injured, around 15 people have been shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu for specialized treatment,” they said. The official reports said the figures may change as some people are severely injured.Extending heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died in the tragic accident, the Chief Minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls. Mehbooba also called for ensuring best possible medicare facilities for the injured. She has prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
The Chief Minister has asked the Divisional and the District Administration to speed up the rescue operation in the area and ensure timely evacuation of all the injured to the hospitals. On the instructions of the Chief Minister, Deputy Commissioner Reasi released immediate cash relief of Rs 10000 each in favor of the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 5000 each for the injured.Governor N.N. Vohra has expressed grief over the tragic loss of innocent lives in a bus accident, on the Reasi- Bakal road. In a condolence message the Governor has conveyed his sympathies to the members of the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls. He has wished speedy recovery to the persons injured in this accident.Raj Bhavan Spokesperson recalled that the Governor has been re-iterating his serious concern that the regulatory authorities, particularly the Traffic Police, have yet to take adequately deterring measures to ensure against operation of old and technically unfit vehicles, inadequately trained drivers, overloading of passenger carrying vehicles, over-speeding on narrow and poorly maintained roads etc. He stated that the Governor was addressing the Chief Minister in this matter(GNS)