10 Killed, Several Injured After Bus Travelling From Amritsar To Katra Falls Into Gorge

At least ten people were killed, while 30 others were injured after a bus skidded off a bridge and fell into a gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near Jhajjar Kotli on Tuesday.

The bus, carrying pilgrims from outside Jammu and Kashmir, was on its way to Katra when the tragic incident took place.

The bus was carrying 75 passengers to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Katra is the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the famous shrine atop Trikuta hills.

"The bus was going from Amritsar to Katra, towards Mata Vaishno Devi, and rolled down the Jhajjar Kotli bridge. Around 10 people died and around 30 were injured. The injured people have been shifted to a hospital. All other teams - paramilitary teams and SDRF - are helping the Police. Locals are helping too so that people can be evacuated and rescued," SSP Jammu, Chandan Kohli told reporters.

"The bus was carrying more passengers than the prescribed limit and will be probed during the investigation," he added.

According to the police, the incident took place when the victims were returning from a religious program held at Mansa Mata temple. The accident happened approximately one kilometer away from the temple. Soon after the local villagers rushed to the spot and helped the police in the rescue operation.

Initial reports say, the driver appeared to have lost control of the tractor-trolley, resulting in a collision with a pole and the subsequent fall into a gorge.

The injured have been rushed to the Government Medical College in Jammu.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha condoled the loss of life in the Jammu bus accident.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Jhajjar Kotli, Jammu. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Directed district administration to provide all possible assistance and treatment to the injured," tweeted the Office of LG J&K.

In a similar incident, a 27-year-old woman was killed and 24 people were injured when a Rajasthan-bound bus carrying Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims overturned in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. The incident took place on May 21.