21 killed, 52 injured as bus falls into deep gorge in Jammu

Jammu, May 30 (UNI): At least 21 persons were killed and 52 injured when a bus carrying pilgrims to Shiv Khori fell into a deep gorge near Kalidhar in the Akhnoor area on the city outskirts on Thursday.
Police said a bus with UP registration number was on its way from Jammu towards Shiv Khori Shrine this afternoon. It met with an accident in Akhnoor near Chowki Choura-Kali Dhar on Jammu-Poonch National Highway. The driver failed to take a sharp turn and the bus rolled down into the gorge, they said.
Police, locals and the health department team on receiving the information immediately swung into action and reached the spot and launched the rescue operation.
As per the initial information, they said that 21 people have died and 52 were injured, adding, “The rescue operation is still in progress and the injured persons are being shifted to Akhnoor, Chowki Chaura and Jammu GMC hospitals.”
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed anguish on the loss of lives in the tragic bus accident in Akhnoor, Jammu.
In a condolence message, the Lt Governor said, “The Bus accident in Akhnoor is heart-rending. I condole the loss of lives and pray to the almighty to give the bereaved families the strength to bear the irreparable loss. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. The administration is providing all possible assistance to the bereaved families and extending medical facilities to those injured”.