Monitor News Bureau
Srinagar, Dec 8: In a tragic incident, at least 14 people were killed after a bus skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Plera in Mandi tehsil of Poonch district on Saturday.
Apart from the fatalities, at least 12 people were injured in the accident.
An official said that a passenger bus (registration number JK02W0445) heading towards Poonch from Loran skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge at Plera around 9:15 am.
He said that at least 14 persons travelling on the bus died in the accident while at least 12 others were injured.
The injured were shifted to sub-district hospital Mandi for treatment.
The deceased included a two-year-old girl identified as AfiaParveen and her mother Parveen Akhter (35) of Loyal Bella village.
Others who died in the accident were identified as Aijaz Ahmad (32) of Sib, Mohammad Yasar (10) of Loyal Bella village, Wali Mohd (72) of Barachar, Ghulam Hussain (52) and Bashir Ahmad (38) of Chikri, Shariefa (40), Nazia Akhter (17), Gulshan Akhter (21), Mohammad Yousuf (26), Bashir Ahmad (50), Abdula Rashid (45) and Mohammad Rashid (55) all resident of Loran village.
Earlier in the day, Block Medical Officer Poonch Syed Mushtaq Hussain had said that eleven persons died in the accident.
“19 passengers were injured in the accident. Five critically injured patients were referred to district hospital Poonch for specialised treatment,” he said.
Three more people succumbed to their injuries on way or at the hospital taking the overall death toll to 14.
Governor J&K, Satya Pal Malik expressed grief and anguish over the loss of precious lives in the tragic road.
In his message, Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families. He has wished speedy recovery to those injured in this accident.
Abdullahs, Mehbooba anguished
Srinagar, Dec 8: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow and anguish over the loss of lives in a tragic road accidentin Plera in Mandi tehsil of Poonch district on Saturday.
Farooq described the loss of lives as unfortunate and tragic.
“It’s alarming how such accidents have become a routine now in the state. I convey my heartfelt sympathies to the families of those killed in the accident,” he said adding, “The causes of the fateful accident should be ascertained. The incumbent government needs to devise a strategy to reduce these tragedies,” he said.
Omar, while expressing concern over the recurrence of such fatal accidents in the Chenab valley and Pirpanchal areas said: “The incumbent administration should do an appraisal of the factors concerning passenger safety in the areas as are mostly hilly. It is heart wrenching to hear about such deadly incidents happening time and again.”
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti too expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the tragic road accident.
In a statement issued here, the PDP president described the deaths in the accident as unfortunate and tragic. She also conveyed her sympathies to the families of those killed in the accident.
The PDP president further expressed concern over the surge being witnessed in road accidents in the hilly areas of the State and asked the state government to review the status of the parameters pertaining to passenger safety, road and vehicle conditions in the state in general and in the hilly areas in particular.
Mehbooba Mufti has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died in the tragic accident while praying for speedy recovery to those who were injured in the accident.
Geelani,Mirwaiz grieved over loss of lives
Srinagar, Dec 8:Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani expressed his deep condolence with the families of all those persons killed after a bus skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge at Mandi Poonch on Saturday.
In a statement, Saturday, senior Hurriyat leader consoled the injured people in the accident.
Praying for their heavenly abode and bestowal of forbearance to their near and dear ones, the Hurriyat leader expressed his anguish on the criminal negligence committed by the authorities for the disproportionate development of the whole Chenab valley.
Hurriyat (G) Chairman condemned the discrimination adopted by the authorities, towards the Chenab region on the ground.
Meanwhile, Chairman Hurriyat (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives in an accident at Mandi area of Poonch district.
Taking to the social networking site, Twitter Mirwaiz wrote: “Deeply grieved at the loss of life in the tragic road accident at Poonch. My condolences to the affected families. Pray to almighty for speedy recovery of the injured.”
