SRINAGAR, SEPT 28: Five people, including a nine-month-old girl and her father, were killed and several others injured after a passenger vehicle plunged into the Kishanganga River in the Semari area of Karnah, Kupwara, on Monday, triggering a massive rescue operation by police, civil administration and emergency response teams.
The accident occurred on the Teetwal–Semari road when the vehicle reportedly skidded off the mountainous road and plunged into the river. The exact circumstances leading to the accident are being investigated.
The deceased were identified as nine-month-old Hamza, her father Mohammad Idrees, 32, Sayeeda Begum, Shabir Ahmad and Raja Arshad.
Immediately after the accident, rescue teams comprising Kupwara Police, civil administration, the Indian Army and emergency personnel, assisted by local volunteers, launched an operation to evacuate the victims.
The injured were shifted to Sub-District Hospital Tangdhar, where five persons were declared brought dead.
Several injured passengers were provided initial treatment at Tangdhar before being referred to higher medical facilities. Six injured persons were subsequently referred to GMC Handwara for specialised treatment.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
He said he had directed the District Administration to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
He directed the district administration and medical authorities to provide the best possible treatment and necessary medical care to those injured and ensure all possible assistance to the affected families.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Shrikant Suse and SSP Kupwara Syed Al-Tahir Gilani visited Semari following the accident, inspected the site and met the bereaved families. The administration assured the affected families of all possible support.
Police have registered a case under Sections 281 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the vehicle plunging into the river.
The tragic accident has once again highlighted the road-safety challenges confronting commuters travelling through the steep and difficult mountainous stretches of the Karnah–Tangdhar belt.
Authorities are continuing to ascertain the precise sequence of events leading to the fatal crash.
