A catastrophic bus accident occurred on November 15, 2023, in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, resulting in a significant loss of life and numerous injuries.
According to officials, at least 39 people lost their lives, and 17 others sustained injuries when a passenger bus veered off a Himalayan highway and plummeted into a gorge.
The incident took place in the mountainous region of Kashmir, about 124 miles southeast of Srinagar. The bus, which had a seating capacity of 42, was en route from Kishtwar town to Jammu city when it skidded off the Batote-Kishtwar national highway and fell about 600 feet into a gorge.
Initial reports suggest that the driver’s negligence, possibly hitting a crash barrier, was a contributing factor to the accident.
Locals and authorities responded to the accident site, initiating rescue operations. Injured passengers were transported to nearby health facilities for treatment. Of the 17 injured, several were reported to be in critical condition and were being prepared for airlift to a hospital in Jammu city.
The bus was reportedly carrying more than 50 people at the time of the accident, suggesting potential overcrowding, a common issue in such incidents. Investigations are ongoing to find out the exact cause of the accident, with police considering factors such as overcrowding and speeding.
This accident is one of several recent bus incidents in India, highlighting the ongoing challenges in road safety and vehicle maintenance. Just days earlier, on November 11, there were other incidents involving buses in Kerala and on the Chennai-Bengaluru highway, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
The Indian government and local authorities are expected to review safety protocols and take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
