(RightIsRight.co) – In a heartbreaking event, a bus accident occurred in Indian-controlled Kashmir, resulting in at least 37 fatalities and 18 injuries. The accident occurred when the bus, reportedly overcrowded and speeding, veered off a Himalayan highway and crashed down onto another road.
A police officer noted that while the bus was indeed overcrowded and moving at a high speed, a formal investigation is currently underway to determine the precise cause of the incident.
In response to this catastrophic event, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, expressed his deep sorrow and extended his condolences via Twitter. He stated, “The bus accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir is distressing. My condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest.”
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi announced financial assistance for the victims and their families. “An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF [Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund] would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured.” According to the AP, this amounts to approximately $2,400 for each deceased individual and $600 for those injured.
The injured parties were transported to a hospital in Kashmir for treatment. India ranks among the countries with the highest rates of road fatalities globally.
The Himalayas, where the accident occurred, are known for their challenging and mountainous terrain. This region in Asia is notably steep and rugged, and it is also where Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain, is located.
This devastating incident underscores the perils of traveling in such treacherous mountainous areas and highlights the importance of road safety, especially in regions prone to such dangerous conditions.
