Daijiworld Media Network – Jammu
Jammu, Aug 21: Tragedy struck on the Jammu-Pathankot highway on Thursday when a bus carrying pilgrims bound for Mata Vaishno Devi shrine skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge in Samba district, leaving one person dead and 39 others injured.
According to officials, the accident occurred at Jatwal, after the vehicle, travelling from Uttar Pradesh to Katra, suffered a tyre burst while crossing a small bridge. The deceased has been identified as Iqbal Singh (45) of Amroha, UP.
Rescue teams swiftly reached the spot, and all injured were rushed to the district hospital in Samba. Of them, seven critically injured pilgrims were later shifted to AIIMS Vijaypur for advanced treatment.
Police said further investigations are underway, even as the mishap cast a pall of gloom over the pilgrimage journey.