Five-year-old among seven killed as vehicle rolls into gorge in Doda

Seven people, including a five-year-old girl, were killed and 17 others injured when an overloaded passenger vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in the mountainous Doda district of Jammu region on Tuesday morning.

The accident occurred on the Doda-Bharth road near Ponda, approximately 30 km from Doda town, when the driver of a Tempo Traveller failed to negotiate a sharp curve and lost control of the vehicle.

Mohammad Ashraf (35), Mangta Wani (51), Atta Mohamed (33), Talib Hussain (35), and Rafeeqa Begum (60) were declared brought dead at Government Medical College Hospital, Doda, while five-year-old Uzma Jan and Shakur Din (30) succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Jammu, the officials said.

Seventeen injured passengers were rushed to hospital by rescuers, and the condition of some was reported to be critical, officials said. Most of the passengers belonged to Aul village in Doda.

Local residents rushed to the scene soon after the vehicle rolled down into the gorge and were later joined by police and other security personnel. The injured were initially shifted to a local hospital, with several of them later referred to other healthcare facilities in the region.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh, in a statement, said there were 24 passengers in the vehicle. “I am in constant touch with the local district administration. I spoke to Doda DC Harvinder Singh after receiving information about the road accident near Bharth village. All possible help and medical aid are being provided. The DC is personally supervising the rescue and medical efforts and keeping me updated. Any further assistance, as required, will also be extended,” he said.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condoled the loss of lives in the tragic accident. “Pained by the loss of lives due to the tragic road accident in Doda. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the L-G said in a statement.

In a post on X, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said: “Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Doda that has claimed seven lives and left several injured. I extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The administration has been directed to ensure immediate medical assistance and support to all affected.”

The local residents alleged that overloading and over-speeding of the vehicle were the likely causes behind the fatal mishap.