Five people were killed in a tragic road accident in the Dachhan area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir on August 15. The vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and rolled down a deep gorge before plunging into the Chenab River.
According to officials, the vehicle was travelling from Yainwan and Dangdaroo towards Sounder when the accident occurred. Police teams and local residents reached the site soon after the incident and launched rescue and recovery operations. Five bodies have been recovered so far. Officials said the exact number of people travelling in the vehicle is still being ascertained.
Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Sharma said that all five deceased were workers associated with the Pakal Dul project in Dungdoru. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the accident.
The accident has triggered grief in the region. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh expressed condolences over the loss of lives. The Lieutenant Governor directed the district administration and senior officials to provide immediate assistance to the affected families.
Authorities are continuing recovery efforts and further details are awaited.
