4 Dead, Over 20 Injured As Bus Carrying Vaishno Devi Pilgrims Catches Fire In Jammu's Katra
The bus carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims was on its way from Katra to Jammu when it suddenly caught fire.
Four passengers were killed, and over 22 were left injured after a bus traveling back from Vaishno Devi caught fire near Katra in Jammu, said the police. The bus carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims was on its way from Katra to Jammu when it suddenly caught fire.
Agencies
Officials confirmed that the bus to Jammu from Katra caught fire near Nomai, about 3 kilometers from Katra.
Two persons died & 22 others were injured after a local bus from Katra to Jammu caught fire near Kharmal about 1.5 km from Katra. As per preliminary details, bus caught fire from the engine area which soon engulfed the whole bus: ADGP Jammu pic.twitter.com/f1OqFLfoPc
¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2022
Katra is the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine.
Four pilgrims charred to death and 24 persons received burn injuries when a #Jammu bound bus from #Katra caught fire near #Nommai, 3 Kms from Katra today. 14 injureds shifted to GMC Jammu.
¡ª AIR News Jammu (@radionews_jammu) May 13, 2022
REPORT : @devjmu pic.twitter.com/ormMo26DmP
Confirming the deaths, Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh, said the initial probe does not point to the use of any explosive.
Extremely pained by the loss of lives in the tragic bus incident in Katra. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Directed district administration to ensure best possible treatment to the injured.
¡ª Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) May 13, 2022
"Extremely pained by the loss of lives in the tragic bus incident in Katra. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Directed district administration to ensure the best possible treatment to the injured," the office of L-G J&K tweeted.
The police confirmed that a team of forensic experts was immediately rushed to ascertain the cause of the fire.
On Friday evening, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to those who have been seriously injured.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in Katra bus incident. Rs 1 lakh would be given to those seriously injured: Jammu & Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha https://t.co/VwSfvo9sAT pic.twitter.com/iWKgcG8JdA
¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2022
Announcing the same, Sinha took to Twitter and wrote:
"An ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the unfortunate bus incident in Katra. Rs. 1 Lakh would be given to those seriously injured."
#UPDATE This was not a blast, but a bus tank explosion due to overheating (caused by weather). There are 3-4 casualties. 22 reportedly injured...: Deputy Commissioner Babila Rakwal, Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir pic.twitter.com/vvnBkcAsuc
¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2022
2022 has been a devastating year for pilgrims as this is the second major tragedy linked to the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.
Twitter
On January 1st, at least 12 people died, and 16 others were injured in a stampede that took place at the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in the Katra district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Representational Image
The stampede happened after an uncontrolled large crowd reached gate number 3 of Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Many reports hinted that an altercation between two groups was the reason behind the chaos and stampede.
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