J-K: 36 killed as bus rolls down gorge in Doda village

Doda (Jammu and Kashmir): 36 people were killed when a bus rolled down a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda District, Kashmir police said on Wednesday. The mishap took place in Assar village of Doda.

"A bus rolled down a gorge in the Assar area of Doda, 36 people have died, and a rescue operation is going on," Jammu and Kashmir Police said.

Earlier, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh took to microblogging site X to confirm the accident and that the injured had been shifted to District Hospital Kistwar and Government Medical College Doda.

He also said he had spoken to the Doda District Commissioner, Harvinder Singh. The Union Minister also added in his post that all possible help is being provided to the injured people.

"Helicopter service to be arranged for shifting the more injured ones. All possible help, as required, is being provided. I am in constant touch," Singh said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the loss of lives in the tragic Doda bus accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PM's National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

"The bus accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir is distressing. My condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest," the Office of the PM posted on X.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condoled the loss of lives in a post on X. "Deeply shocked & saddened about the tragic road accident at Assar in Doda. Deepest condolences to the families of those feared dead & hope the administration expedites rescue operations," Muft posted on X.

(ANI)