Three buses collide on way to Vaishno Devi, 10 pilgrims injured

At least 10 Amarnath Yatra pilgrims sustained injuries on Sunday afternoon when the bus they were traveling in met with an accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district. The incident occurred as the pilgrims were returning from the revered Amarnath cave shrine and were en route to Vaishno Devi, casting a momentary shadow over their spiritual journey. Authorities swiftly responded to the scene, transporting the injured to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention.

The pilgrims, all hailing from Madhya Pradesh, had commenced their journey early in the morning, departing from Amarnath at around 3 AM. The accident, which involved three buses in the convoy colliding, happened near the Tachloo crossing in the Khudwani area of Kulgam along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The impact caused damage to the buses, but fortunately, the injuries sustained by the devotees were mostly minor.

One of the injured pilgrims recounted the incident, stating, "10-11 people have been injured. All of us are from Madhya Pradesh. We were travelling from Amarnath to Vaishno Devi and had left at 3 am. After the accident, we were brought to the hospital. We are receiving good treatment here." This firsthand account reflects the swift medical response and the care provided to the affected pilgrims.

Another injured pilgrim, Bhagirath from Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, also shared his experience. "I am from Mandsaur in MP. We had come for the yatra. The accident happened in Kulgam. I have sustained an injury to my eye... The arrangements here are good." His statement underscores the rapid and efficient medical aid provided at the hospital.

Dr. Tariq, an orthopaedic specialist at GMC Anantnag, provided an update on the condition of the injured. "We have 8-10 people here. Most of them have injuries on their head... Orthopaedically, they are all stable. After due investigations, all of them will likely be discharged in an hour... One person with chest trauma will be retained here, the rest of them will be discharged..." This indicates that while the injuries were primarily head-related, they were not life-threatening for most, and prompt medical care ensured their stable condition.