Four dead, 44 injured as passenger bus plunges into gorge in Poonch

Poonch: Four people were killed and 44 others injured after a passenger bus plunged into a gorge in the Ghani area of Mendhar in Poonch district on Tuesday morning.

Accoridng to officials, the bus (registration number JK02X-1671), en route from Ghani Mendhar, skidded off the road and rolled down into a deep gorge after the driver reportedly lost control.

Initially, two passengers were declared dead on the spot and 42 others injured. A massive rescue operation was launched immediately by police, army personnel, and locals. The injured were rushed to the Sub-District Hospital in Mendhar.

BMO Mendhar Dr Ashfaq Ahmad confirmed the death of two passengers and said that among the injured, five were in critical condition and had been referred to GMC Rajouri for advanced treatment.

Later in the day, two more injured passengers succumbed to their injuries, raising the death toll to four. One of the deceased was identified as Abdul Majeed, an army personnel from 41 Assam Rifles and a resident of Ghani Mendhar.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated further investigation. (GNS)