Image Source: Agencies

22 travelers, generally from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, were killed and 64 harmed when the transport they were going in met with a mishap in Akhnoor on the edges of Jammu city this evening.

Family perishes in mishap

A group of four was killed in the transport setback. The departed relatives have been recognized as Lakshman Prasad, his better half Anamika and their two kids Rudra and Naina.

Authoritative request report in 7 days

The Representative Chief has requested an authoritative request to find out the reason for the mishap. The Extra Region Officer will present the request report in seven days or less.

Transport was challaned for over-burdening

SSP (Traffic) Faisal Qureshi let The Tribune know that the transport was challaned by the traffic police for over-burdening before the mishap.
"There were 65 grown-ups on the transport, other than minors. The transport was challaned for over-burdening," the SSP said.
He said the transport driver, who made due, let the police know that he nodded off while driving and couldn't arrange a bend.

The casualties included everyone, who were on a journey. The mishap occurred around 12.35 pm when the driver of the transport (UP 81CT 4058), conveying fans from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh towards Shivkhori at Pouni in Reasi locale, neglected to arrange a turn close to Tungi Morh in Akhnoor.

The transport moved down a crevasse and hit a tree, leaving 22 travelers dead and 64 harmed. The collections of the travelers were moved to the sub-locale emergency clinic at Akhnoor while the harmed were owned up to Government Clinical School, Jammu. The state of a few harmed is expressed to be serious.

Jammu DC Sachin Kumar Vaishya said, "The transport met with a mishap close to Tanda, Akhnoor, in Jammu. Salvage tasks are in progress."

Tariq Ahmed, Akhnoor SHO, told The Tribune, "Many bodies were stuck under the ruined remaining parts of the transport, which deferred the salvage activity." J&K Transport Chief Rajinder Singh Tara accused "human mistake" for the mishap. "The driver couldn't arrange a bend, which is by all accounts the clear reason for the mishap," he said.

President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi and Lt Legislative head of J&K Manoj Sinha grieved the demise of the travelers. The PM declared Rs 2 lakh to closest relative of each departed and Rs 50,000 to the harmed, while the L-G reported an ex gratia help of Rs 5 lakh to closest relative of each departed and Rs 50,000 for the harmed.