17 Amarnath Pilgrims Killed, 29 Injured After Bus Falls Into Gorge

Around 30 people were injured in the accident at Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir.

• At least 17 people were killed and 29 others injured in a bus accident in J&K’s Ramban district
  
• The bus was ferrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims when it fell into a gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar highway
• The cause of the accident was a tyre-burst, said Jammu police
• PM Modi announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for those killed in the accident

PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Compensation For Kin of Those Killed

PM Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh as compensation for families of those killed in the accident. He also announced Rs 50,000 for those who were injured in the accident.

PM announced ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs for next of kin of those killed & Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured, in the bus accident in J&K.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 16, 2017

Additionally, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar announced ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for next of kin of five people from the state who were killed in the bus accident.

Tyre Burst Caused Accident: Jammu Police

SD Singh Jamwal, IGP Jammu Police, said that the accident was not a result of sabotage.

According to witnesses, rear tyre burst caused the accident; it’s not a sabotage issue. It was a convoy bus and no one is missing. From the total of 46 passengers, most were from Rajasthan and Bihar, 16 died.

SD Singh Jamwal, Jammu Police

Rajnath Speaks to CM Mufti

Spoke to J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Muftiji regarding the unfortunate accident of the bus carrying Amarnath Yatris near Ramban. 1/3

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 16, 2017

Mehboobaji has apprised me of the ongoing rescue operations. The injured Amarnath Yatris are being airlifted for treatment in Jammu. 2/3

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 16, 2017

Singh also had a telephonic conversation with Governor NN Vohra who reached the accident site soon after. He apprised him of the situation.

PM Modi Tweets Condolences

Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2017

I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2017

Along with PM Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also expressed grief at the accident.

Saddened by the loss of lives of #Amarnath Yatris in a bus accident in J&K. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families .

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) July 16, 2017