8 dead, 7 injured after overloaded vehicle plunges into gorge in Uri

Two dead, 2 injured in road mishap in Warwan area

STATE TIMES NEWS

BARAMULLA/KISHTWAR: At least eight passengers died and seven others were injured in a tragic road accident in the Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, while two persons died in a separate road accident in Kishtwar district
They said that an overloaded vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge at Bujthalan Tatmulla Uri this afternoon. The impact of the crash resulted in the loss of seven lives and left eights others severely injured.
Block Medical Officer Boniyar Uri, Dr. Khursheed Ahmad Khan said seven dead bodies are lying at Boniyar PHC and eight critically injured have been referred to GMC Baramulla in which condition of three injured is critical.
Medical Superintendent, GMC Baramulla said eight injured were received at the facility. However, one of them succumbed, taking the death toll to eight.
According to a police official, the slippery road conditions, exacerbated by recent snowfall, likely contributed to the accident. The vehicle, carrying 15 passengers, was overloaded, which may have further escalated the severity of the incident.
Immediately after the accident, a rescue operation was launched at the accident site, with authorities rushing to provide assistance to the victims. The injured were promptly transported to GMC Baramulla for urgent medical treatment.
Meanwhile, in a tragic incident, an operator was among two dead while two others got injured after a snow cutter machine working on snow clearance of the road met with an accident near Warwan area of Kishtwar.
According to police, the snow cutter machine was clearing snow on the road after heavy snowfall in the area. Two persons including a nurse took lift from them up to Warwan area due to heavy snow on the road.
“After moving some distance, the machine met with accident and fell into gorge,” police said, adding that the two persons died on the spot while two others, including the nurse, got injured.
All were shifted to PHC Warwan for the treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Ghulam Mohdeen, 60, son of Shaban, resident of Chopan and Abdul Gani Koka, 48, son of Subhan Koka, resident of Brayan.
The injured have been identified as Nurse in Health Department Shafiya Banoo, 25, daughter Gh Mohdeen Inshan and Khurshid Ahmed, 38, son of Gh Mohd, resident of Brayan.
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has expressed grief over the accident and appealed to the administration to mobilize swift and robust rescue efforts and provide medical aid to the injured.
“Heartbroken over the tragic incident in Baramulla’s Boniyar. Prayers for the souls lost as a vehicle plunged into a gorge near Bujithala,” Bukhari in his message said.
He urged administration to mobilize swift and robust rescue efforts and provide medical aid to the injured .
“Our deepest condolences to the grieving families,” he added.

LG expresses grief, announces ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to NoK

JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh each for the Next of Kin of those who lost their lives in the tragic road accidents in Baramulla and Kishtwar, on Wednesday.
The Lt Governor tweeted:
“Deeply saddened by the tragic accidents in Baramulla & Kishtwar. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the tragedies. The injured would be given Rs. 1 Lakh. Directed the district administrations to provide all possible assistance to the families expeditiously”.