11 killed, 8 injured in Uri, Kishtwar road accidents
LG announces Rs 5 lakhs ex-gratia to NoKs of deceased
Baramulla/Kishwar/Srinagar: Nine passengers died and six others were injured in a road accident in the Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said Wednesday.
Witnesses said that a passenger vehicle (a Sumo cab — JK05D 0946) on way to Bujthalan village skidded off the snow-slippery road and fell into a 200-ft deep gorge at Bujthalan Thutmulla, resulting in the on-spot death of seven persons and grievous injuries to eight others.
A police official said that a rescue operation was launched by locals and police at the site of the accident and the injured were rushed to Primary Health Center Boniyar, from where critically injured were shifted to the Associated Hospital of GMC Baramulla for treatment.
Block Medical Officer Boniyar Uri, Dr. Khursheed Ahmad Khan said seven dead bodies were brought to Boniyar PHC and eight critically injured were referred to GMC Baramulla in which the condition of three injured is critical.
Medical Superintendent, GMC Baramulla said eight injured were received at the facility. However, one of them succumbed, taking the death toll to eight. Two of the injured brought here were later shifted to SKIMS Soura; however, later one of them also succumbed to injuries, which took the death count to nine.
According to a police official, the slippery road conditions due to recent snowfall may have led to the accident. The vehicle, carrying 15 passengers, was clearly overloaded, which may have further escalated the severity of the incident.
As the news of the accident reached district headquarters, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, accompanied by ADC Zahoor Ahmed, visited GMC Baramulla to coordinate health facilities. Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi, the Medical Superintendent, was directed to ensure immediate treatment of the injured individuals.
Dr. Masoodi confirmed that Associated Hospital GMC Baramulla received eight injured persons, of which one Abdul Razak, son of Abdul Rehman, succumbed to injuries, while of the two persons referred to SKIMS Soura, the injured cab driver Shabir Ahmad also succumbed later.
RTO Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari while expressing shock and condolences told ‘Kashmir Images’ that he personally inspected the documents of the ill-fated vehicle (JK05D 0946) involved in the accident which he said are complete. “I have verified that the documents are complete in all respects,” he affirmed.
However, the RTO emphasized that action would be taken in accordance with the law regarding overloading and authorities are committed to investigating the incident thoroughly and ensuring accountability for any violations that may have contributed to the tragedy.
The RTO also disclosed that the vehicle involved in the accident had already been fined twice for overloading in the month of January.
Meanwhile, two persons lost their lives while two more were injured when a snow-cutter machine met with an accident in the Warwan area of Kishtwar, Wednesday.
Those who lost their lives were identified as Shafiya Banoo, daughter of Ghulam Mohiuddin, and Mohiuddin, son of Shaban Chopan, both residents of Inshan Warwan.
The injured persons were identified as Abdul Gani Koka and Khursheed Ahmad, both residents of Brayan.
Later in the day, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the Next of Kin of those who lost their lives in the tragic road accidents in Baramulla and Kishtwar.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic accidents in Baramulla & Kishtwar. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the LG tweeted.
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the tragedies. The injured would be given Rs. 1 lakh. Directed the district administrations to provide all possible assistance to the families expeditiously,” Sinha added.
