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21 dead, 51 injured in Ramnagar bus accident

PM Modi, HM Shah, LG Sinha, CM Omar express grief

Ashwani Sharma
Early Times Report

Udhampur/Ramnagar, Apr 20: A devastating road accident in the Kaghote area of Ramnagar in Udhampur District on Monday morning claimed 21 lives and left at least 51 people injured after a speeding passenger bus lost control and plunged into a deep gorge near the Jaloah bend.
According to officials, the accident occurred at a sharp and dangerous turn where the driver allegedly failed to control the vehicle. The ill-fated bus (JK14D 2121) was on its way to Udhampur and had departed from Ramnagar bus stand at around 8:45 am. It had earlier started from Katwalt village at approximately 7:00 am, reaching Ramnagar at 8:30 am before continuing its journey.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus was overcrowded, carrying passengers beyond its seating capacity, with several people standing. Passengers alleged that the vehicle was being driven at high speed. As the bus approached the sharp curve near Jaloah, it skidded off the road and fell into a deep slope.
The impact was catastrophic, leaving the bus completely mangled and resulting in several on-the-spot deaths. Chaos and panic gripped the area as cries for help echoed from the gorge. Local residents rushed to the scene and initiated rescue operations even before the arrival of authorities.
Police and administrative teams soon reached the site and intensified rescue efforts. The injured were initially shifted to Sub-District Hospital Ramnagar in private vehicles, while critically injured victims were referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur. Some victims were directly taken to GMC Udhampur for advanced treatment.
An Indian Army convoy passing through the route played a significant role in the rescue operation. Army personnel immediately joined hands with locals to evacuate passengers trapped inside the wreckage. Cranes were later deployed to retrieve those stuck beneath the twisted metal.
Officials confirmed that out of the 21 deceased, 17 bodies were brought to Ramnagar Hospital, while three were brought dead to Associated Government Medical College (AGMC) Udhampur. One injured victim later succumbed to injuries at AGMC Udhampur.
A total of 51 injured persons were reported. Of these, 32 were initially treated at Sub-District Hospital Ramnagar, while 19 were taken to AGMC Udhampur. Subsequently, several patients from Ramnagar were referred to GMC Udhampur for specialized care.
In a narrow escape, a passenger auto coming from the Kaghote side avoided being struck by the falling bus. The auto had just crossed Kaghote bridge and was climbing uphill when the bus came crashing down. The driver’s quick response averted a major collision, though the vehicle sustained partial damage.
Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident, while rescue and relief operations continued till late afternoon.
MODI, HM SHAH, LG SINHA, CM OMAR EXPRESS GRIEF
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the Udhampur bus accident.
In a message posted on X, Shah said the road accident in Udhampur is extremely tragic. “I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. The local administration is fully engaged with utmost promptness in relief and rescue operations. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured” he said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his deep anguish and grief over the loss of lives in the tragic road accident in Ramnagar, Udhampur.
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor has said: "Tragic road accident in Udhampur is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. May God grant them strength. Praying for speedy recovery of the injured. I have directed the district administration, Police, SDRF and Health Department to provide every possible assistance to those affected".
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a message of condolence extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident.
He assured that the government stands firmly with the victims and their families in this hour of grief, and that all necessary assistance is being extended to ensure proper medical care and support to the affected.
The Office of the Chief Minister also announced financial assistance from the CM Relief Fund, including ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹1 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹25,000 for those with minor injuries.