Umaisar Gull Ganie
Qazigund, Jul 14: At least 25 Amarnath pilgrims were injured when a bus carrying pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra crashed into a dumper-tipper at Badragund area of Qazigund in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district along the Srinagar-Jammu highway on Thursday, officials said.
An official said that a bus bearing registration number (JKP2Y-0869) en route to Amarnath cave shrine, ferrying 40 Yatris’ collided with a dumper bearing registration number (JK03-JP633) at Badragund crossing in Qazigund area on the Srinagar Jammu National Highway.
Dr. Shugufta Salam, Medical Superintendent, Emergency Hospital Qazigund said that 25 yatris received injuries and were given initial treatment at the Emergency Hospital Qazigund while three of them were shifted to GMC Anantnag for specialized treatment.
The incident was caught on a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera. Video footage captured the speeding bus colliding into the dumper tipper as it was trying to take a turn at a crossing. Bystanders were seen running in panic when the accident took place.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat along with SSP Kulgam Dr. G. V. Sundeep Chakravarthy visited Emergency Hospital at Qazigund to enquire about the health of Yatries who got injured in the accident.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said three Amarnath Yatris, who had received minor injuries, were shifted to Government Medical College Anantnag for treatment. He also directed the district administration and the Principal GMC to take care of those with minor injuries and arrange for their travel.
“Three Shri Amarnath Ji Yatris, who had received minor injuries in a road accident near Badragund, Kulgam, were shifted to GMC Anantnag. Instructed District Administration & Principal GMC to take good care of others with minor injuries & ensure necessary arrangements for their travel,” LG Sinha tweeted.
