Rescue operation at accident site
Ten individuals tragically lost their lives when an SUV veered off the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and plunged into a gorge in Ramban district, officials confirmed. The incident occurred around 1:15 am at the Battery Cheshma area of the district. The vehicle, identified as a Tavera, was en route from Srinagar to Jammu when the accident transpired, plummeting approximately 300 feet into the gorge.
Bodies recovered
Authorities, including personnel from the Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), swiftly responded to the scene despite challenging weather conditions with heavy rains. Amid the rescue efforts, the bodies of all ten passengers were recovered.
Among the deceased were the driver of the vehicle, Balwan Singh (47) of Amb Ghrotha in Jammu, and Vipin Mukhiya Bhairagang from West Champaran in Bihar.
INC President shares condolences
Mallikarjun Kharge, the President of the Indian National Congress, conveyed his deep sorrow over the tragic incident in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and extended wishes for a swift and full recovery to the injured. Kharge also urged the authorities to promptly provide relief and compensation to the affected victims.
In his post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said, “Extremely saddened to know about the tragic accident in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, which took away 10 precious lives. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We wish a speedy and complete recovery to the injured. I urge the authorities to provide relief and compensation to the victims at the earliest.”
Extremely saddened to know about the tragic accident in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, which took away 10 precious lives.
My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We wish a speedy and complete recovery to the injured.
I urge the authorities to provide relief and…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 29, 2024
Union Minister and Udhampur MP Jitendra Singh also expressed his condolences, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of the rescue teams. He assured that the rescue operation was ongoing.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed profound shock over the accident and extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families. He instructed the district administration and divisional commissioner to provide necessary assistance to the kin of the victims.
President Murmu mourned the loss of lives
President Droupadi Murmu also mourned the loss of lives and conveyed her sympathies to the bereaved families, describing the incident as deeply saddening.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad joined in expressing condolences to the families affected by the tragic accident.
The entire incident underscores the importance of road safety measures and the need for continuous vigilance to prevent such tragic accidents in the future.
