16 Amarnath pilgrims killed in road accident in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir

16 Amarnathtravelers were killed and 16 others injured when a BUS taking them rushed into a deep valley in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, about 50 kilometres from Jammu city at 2330 hours on Thursday night. Ater getting information, police, Army and BSF rushed to the spot.

This was second accident connecting Amarnath yatris in Jammu area this month. 15 pilgrims were killed when a SRTC bus carrying them back from the Amarnath yatra had rolled down into a gorge near Ramban on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on the night of July 14.

According to the Police: “9 pilgrims died on the spot and seven others succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital. Sixteen injured pilgrims were rushed to the Government Medical College in Jammu.

Two other pilgrims on the vehicle who sustained minor injuries were discharged after first-aid.

An official spokesman said that Omar sanctioned an ex-gratia relief of Rs one lakh each in favour of the next of kin of the pilgrims who died in the accident.

The BUS carrying 34 travelers was returning back when it skidded off the road and rolled down deep into the gorge near Zamoorha Morh in Mansar belt of Samba district.