One person was killed and 39 others injured when a bus carrying pilgrims to the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi skidded off a bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot highway in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district on Thursday.
According to a HT report, the accident occurred when the bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh to Katra suffered a tyre burst and skidded off the highway near a small bridge.
According to the report, the deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Iqbal Singh, a resident of Amroha.
Rescue operations are underway and the injured have been admitted to a hospital.
CMÂ Â Omar Abdullah Express Grief
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed grief over the tragic bus accident in Samba, wished the injured a speedy recovery and assured all possible assistance.
“Chief Minister has expressed grief over the tragic bus accident in Samba carrying Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims, which has claimed one life and left many injured. He prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and assured all possible assistance,” the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Office said in a post on X.
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Chief Minister has expressed grief over the tragic bus accident in Samba carrying Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims, which has claimed one life and left many injured. He prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and assured all possible assistance. — Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) August 21, 2025
Eyewitness Recounts Horror
Recounting the horrific moments Eyewitnesses and survivors Rakesh, a passenger in the bus said that most of the people were sleeping when the accident happened.Â
Rakesh, a passenger in the bus, said, “We were going to Vaishno Devi from Amroha (Uttar Pradesh). Most of us were sleeping when the accident happened. Suddenly, we felt the bus wobble and fall. One of our friends died. Locals rushed to help and the injured were taken to hospital.”
Jaspal, another passenger, said that there were 65 people in the bus when the accident happened.Â
“There were around 65 people on the bus. I was with six members of my family. We were going to seek blessings at Vaishno Devi,” he said.
Previous Accident
Earlier on July 13, more than ten Amarnath pilgrims were injured when three buses in a convoy collided near Tachloo crossing in Kulgam district.
On May 6, four people, including a security personnel, were killed and 42 others injured when a private bus fell into a gorge in Poonch district.
(With IANS Inputs)