Udhampur bus accident: As many as 15 persons were killed and around 20 of them were injured after a passenger bus they were aboard veered off a hillside road and plunged down a slope in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday morning, the police said.

As per officials, the incident transpired near Kagort village in the Ramnagar area at 10 am, when the vehicle was negotiating a sharp curve. They added that while arriving from a remote village in Udhampur, the bus met the ill-fate.

Udhampur bus accident: Locals spearhead rescue efforts

After the incident, the locals were the first respondents to the incident. They rushed to the scene and pulled the injured passengers from the mangled bus. Soon after, the police and emergency teams arrived, who launched a coordinated evacuation and rescue operation. Authorities confirmed that 15 people lost their lives in the incident, while nearly 20 persons who sustained injuries were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for medical aid. Some of the injured are said to be in a critical state.

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Visuals from the rescue operations[/caption]

Union Minister speaks to district admn authorities

Plunging into action readily, Union Minister Jitendra Singh spoke to the district administration authorities, including Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa, to review the situation Singh told the media that all necessary assistance is being extended to the victims, and arrangements are being ensured to airlift the critically injured passengers.

CM announces ex-gratia

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next kin of each deceased, while Rs 1 lakh shall be given to the ones who were grievously injured. Moreover, Rs 25,000 shall be handed over to the persons who sustained minor injuries.

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