2 dead, 44 injured after bus falls into gorge in J&K’s Poonch

A tragic road accident occurred in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Tuesday morning when a passenger bus lost control and fell into a deep gorge, resulting in the death of two people and injuries to 44 others. The incident took place around 9:20 am while the bus was en route from Ghani village to Mendhar.

Officials reported that the driver lost control of the vehicle on a curved stretch, causing the bus to veer off the road and plunge into the gorge. Eyewitnesses and local residents sprang into action, initiating a rescue operation before police, Army, and CRPF personnel arrived at the scene.

Among the victims were 45-year-old Mohd Majeed from Ghani and 60-year-old Noor Hussain from Kasblari. Medical authorities confirmed that nine of the injured are in critical condition, with five of them shifted to Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu for specialized care.

Block Medical Officer Ashfaq Choudhary stated that all 15 ambulances in the area were mobilized immediately to evacuate the injured. The joint efforts of security forces and local volunteers were instrumental in transporting the victims to safety and getting timely medical assistance.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, though poor road conditions and speeding are suspected contributors. Authorities have called for a review of road safety measures in the region.