J&K: A disastrous accident happened late Saturday night in the Masu-Paddar region of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. A car with six passengers had plunged into a deep gorge and at least four people are confirmed dead. Two people remain missing, and officials are continuing the rescue operations by finding the vehicle driver and one of the passengers who is missing.Rescue efforts and official statementsUnion Minister Jitendra Singh expressed his condolence on Twitter saying, Saddened to learn that 4 passengers have lost their lives. Two others, including the driver, are still missing. My heartfelt condolences to the families. He also rang up Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shawan to accelerate the rescue operations. Rescue teams have been put in place, and the administration is keeping a close watch on the situation to report any development.Saddened to learn just now that 4 of the passengers travelling in the vehicle have been found dead on the spot. Two other persons, including the driver, are not traced as yet. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Om Shanti ๐๐ป https://t.co/113Y6N3Zo4— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) January 5, 2025Eyewitness accountsEyewitnesses say that rescue work started right away when the ambulance reached the place. Rescue workers are seen lifting bodies out from the gorge from a video clip. But not much information could be found on the vehicle type.#SadNewsTragic #Accident in #Kishtwar 4 dead, 2 missing after a vehicle carrying 6 people plunged into a deep gorge in #Paddar, Kishtwar. pic.twitter.com/war3vQFx5g— Upma Sharma (@UpmaSharma2608) January 5, 2025Jammu and Kashmir reports increased road mishapsThis is part of the disturbing trend that has seen increasing road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir. It was barely three days ago that an army vehicle lost its road and plunged into a ditch near Balnoi in Mendhar of Poonch district, killing five soldiers and leaving five more injured. There are grave fears over road safety in the state, which not only puts local residents but tourists at risk of accidents.
