Samba (J&K): A pilgrimage to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine turned tragic on Thursday morning when a bus carrying devotees met with an accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district. The vehicle veered off the road near Jatwal village and toppled into a drain nearly 20 feet deep, leaving one person dead and 40 others injured.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus lost balance while navigating a stretch of the highway. Within moments, cries for help rang out as the bus crashed into the deep nullah. Alert locals rushed to the site even before rescue teams arrived, pulling passengers out through broken windows and helping those trapped inside.
Emergency services, along with police and medical personnel, quickly reached the spot. “The injured were given immediate first aid on-site and later shifted to a nearby hospital for further treatment,” a senior police officer confirmed. The condition of several passengers is reported to be critical.
The bus was carrying pilgrims headed to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, a major spiritual destination in the region. Authorities are investigating whether mechanical failure or driver error caused the mishap.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed condolences to the bereaved family and assured all possible assistance to those injured. “Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured devotees. The administration is providing every support,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The incident has once again raised questions about road safety on the busy highways connecting Jammu to religious destinations, where thousands of devotees travel daily.
