Jammu, May 31:The bodies of the 22 victims who perished in a tragic bus accident at TungiMorh near the Kalidhar area of Akhnoor in the Jammu region will be sent to their native places by a special train arranged for this purpose.
“A special train has been arranged to ferry the bodies of all 22 deceased to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh,” said AnusuyiaJamwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Jammu.
Following the completion of post-mortem examinations and legal formalities, the bodies have been prepared for transportation. “The post-mortem has been conducted, and all 22 bodies have been packed for sending to their native places,” confirmed Dr.Ashutosh Gupta, Principal of Government Medical College and Hospital-Jammu (GMC&H).
Sources indicated that the special train is scheduled to depart late at night, likely between 11 PM and midnight.
The accident occurred at approximately 1:30 PM yesterday when a sleeper class bus carrying 91 passengers fell into a 200-foot deep gorge at TungiMorh. The calamity resulted in 22 fatalities and left 69 others injured. Among the passengers were 31 men, 37 women, and 23 children. Of the injured, 29 were females, 23 were males, and 17 were children.
Dr. Gupta noted that two of the injured remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment in the ICU at GMC. “None of the injured have been discharged so far,” he added.
Relatives arrive for somber task of identifying loved ones
In the wake of the devastating accident in Akhnoor yesterday, claiming the lives of 22 individuals, including children, the government has called upon relatives of the deceased and injured from Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Rajasthan to aid in identification and support.
The aftermath of the tragedy has shattered numerous families, with some bearing the unbearable loss of all their members.
Speaking to media at GMC-Jammu, the brother of the late Lakshman Sharma shared the heart-wrenching account: “My brother, Lakshman Sharma, along with his wife Anamika Sharma, their son Rudra, and daughter Nancy, have tragically died in the accident.”
Revealing the extent of the devastation, he lamented, “Four members of our family have been claimed by this tragedy,” noting that the government has called him to facilitate the retrieval of their remains.
Another grieving relative, who came from Bathinkala, expressed his sorrow, saying, “My Uncle and his grandson were among the victims,” adding, “There are many others from our village who have suffered either loss or injury in the accident.”
He sorrowfully mentioned that his Uncle was 70 years old, while his grandson was merely 10.
As the community grapples with profound grief, efforts are underway to extend support and solace to the affected families during this period of unimaginable anguish.