Amarnath Yatra Accident: 36 Pilgrims Injured in Bus Collision

Bus Crash in Jammu & Kashmir During Amarnath Yatra

On Saturday, a bus accident injured 36 Amarnath pilgrims. The bus was part of a convoy heading to Pahalgam. The convoy had stopped for breakfast in Chanderkote, Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir. Suddenly, one bus hit another, causing a chain reaction involving four buses.

What Happened During the Accident?

• The accident took place around 7:15 AM.
• The driver of the first bus lost control because the brakes failed.
• The pilgrims were among 6,979 who had left for the cave shrine in Kashmir from a base camp in Jammu.

Government’s Quick Response

The accident prompted Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha to act. He ordered strict safety measures for all vehicles carrying Amarnath pilgrims. Officials were told to:

• Check vehicles at all key locations.
• Ensure food and medicines are always available along the yatra route.

A government spokesman stated, “By the blessings of Lord Shiva, all devotees are safe. Our priority is the safety of all pilgrims.”

Injured Pilgrims Receive Care

The 36 injured pilgrims received treatment at Ramban District Hospital. Most of them continued their journey after being discharged. The bus with the failed brakes was damaged. Its passengers were moved to another vehicle, as reported by Ramban SSP Kulbir Singh. Only a few of the injured chose not to continue.

“Most injuries were minor. All affected pilgrims received first aid and were discharged,” said Ramban Deputy Commissioner Ilyas Khan. He rushed to the accident spot in Chanderkote with other senior officials. LG Sinha spoke to Khan, ensuring all necessary assistance was provided to the injured pilgrims.

More About the Pilgrims

According to SSP Singh, the private bus that lost control was from Madhya Pradesh. “The yatra convoy had stopped for breakfast at Chanderkote Langer. It is a community kitchen that offers free food to devotees,” SSP Singh explained.

Earlier that morning, 6,979 pilgrims had left the base camp in Jammu despite heavy rain. This was the fourth Amarnath batch since the month-long yatra began on July 3. The group included:

• 5,196 men
• 1,427 women
• 24 children
• 332 others, including monks

They left in two convoys between 3:30 AM and 4 AM, under tight security.