Tragic Udhampur Bus Accident Claims 21 Lives: What Happened?
Udhampur Bus Tragedy: Latest Updates
Jammu: The tragic bus accident in Udhampur has resulted in a death toll of 21, as confirmed by Union Minister of State (MoS) Jitendra Singh on Monday.
In a statement shared on X, Singh, who represents the Kathua-Udhampur constituency in the Lok Sabha, expressed, "We have recorded 21 fatalities and 61 individuals injured. The injured are currently receiving treatment at Udhampur Hospital, while one critically injured person is being airlifted to the Government Medical College in Jammu. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families affected by this tragedy."
He assured that all necessary support is being extended to those impacted, stating, "My office is maintaining constant communication with the affected individuals."
The incident took place on Monday morning in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, as the bus was en route from Ramnagar to Udhampur town.
Earlier, Prem Singh, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur, mentioned that some injured passengers were transported to the government medical college in Udhampur, while others were being treated in Ramnagar.
"Our immediate focus is on rescuing the injured and ensuring they receive all necessary medical attention," the official remarked.
Officials are currently investigating the cause of the accident, which involved the bus overturning, and further details are pending.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his sorrow, stating, "The heartbreaking road accident in Udhampur is truly tragic. I extend my deepest sympathies to the grieving families. May they find strength during this difficult time. I am praying for the swift recovery of the injured and have instructed the district administration, police, SDRF, and health department to provide all possible assistance to those affected."
The Chief Minister's office, represented by Omar Abdullah, conveyed, "The Chief Minister has expressed profound sadness over the tragic incident involving a passenger bus traveling from Ramnagar to Udhampur. He has offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and is praying for the quick recovery of the injured. The government stands firmly with the victims and their families during this sorrowful time, ensuring that all necessary support is provided."
Factors such as overloading, excessive speed, reckless driving, and poor road conditions are frequently cited as causes of accidents in the hilly regions of Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Reasi, Kishtwar, and Udhampur districts within the union territory.
To mitigate these risks, the traffic department has deployed specialized teams in these mountainous areas to monitor and prevent overloading, speeding, reckless driving, and road rage, aiming to protect lives from preventable accidents.