Authorities said at least seven people were killed and three others were injured as a vehicle ferrying them met with an accident and rolled down into a deep gorge on Wednesday in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Police said that the vehicle carrying workers of under construction Dangduru Hydel Power Project met with an accident near the site in Dachhan area and plunged into 300-feet deep gorge.
Seven people died on the spot while three others were injured. The injured were later shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar, police added.
The deceased however, were identified as Sudesh Singh of Kythwara, district Doda, Akhter Hussain, resident of Pinjradi, Dangduroo, Abdul Rashid, resident of Banjwar, Kshtwar, Mubassar Ahmad, resident of Doda, Itwa, resident of Jharkhand, Rahul, resident of Jharkhand, Karan Kumar, resident of Kishtwar.
Police said that a case has been registered and investigations initiated.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh tweeted, "spoke to DC #Kishtwar Dr Devansh Yadav about unfortunate road accident at Dangduru Dam site. Injured being shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar or GMC #Doda as per requirement. All possible help, as required, will be provided.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in an official communique has expressed grief over the loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Kishtwar.
In a condolence message, the Lt Governor said, “I convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families and wish those injured a speedy recovery. I have instructed the district administration to provide all necessary assistance to the affected persons. “
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Devansh Yadav accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khalil Ahmed Poswal met families of victims soon after the rescue operation was completed.
The DC handed over interim relief to each family of the victim under Red Cross Fund and consoled the members for the loss. Seven workers working with the Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Power Project died in the mishap and 3 others were injured after the Truck they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge.
Earlier, upon receiving the information about the accident, the DC, SSP and other officers rushed to the district hospital to know about the condition of accident victims.
They expressed their profound grief and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident.
Meanwhile, the DC announced up to Rs 20 lakh compensation to each family under Workers Welfare Fund, besides Rs 2.5 lakh by CVPP, Rs 1 lakh from Road safety Fund and job to one family member of each deceased worker.
Additionally, a sum of Rs 25,000 each was allocated as immediate relief to the families of deceased and injured under the Red Cross and Rs. 75,000 by JP Company for last rites of the deceased.
Two injured workers have been shifted to GMC Jammu and one is at DH Kishtwar for medical treatment, ensuring they receive the best possible care.
During their visit, the DC and SSP Kishtwar closely monitored the administration's efforts to provide comprehensive assistance and medical treatment to the injured workers.
They assured the bereaved families that all possible support will be extended to them in this difficult time and announced that treatment expenditure of injured will be borne by JP Company.
Later DC Kishtwar also held a meeting with the project authorities and directed them to ensure that the victims are extended with all immediate help.
Police assured the locals to investigate the reason for the accident and follow up necessary action as per Motor Vehicle Act.