A devastating accident on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near Battery Cheshma in the Ramban area has claimed the lives of at least ten people. The accident occurred when a SUV traveling from Jammu to Srinagar veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge.
According to an official, the tragic incident unfolded shortly after midnight, involving a vehicle primarily carrying outside laborers. The vehicle careened off the road and descended into a ravine approximately 1000 feet deep near Battery Cheshma.
Local authorities, including the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Civil Quick Response Team (QRT) from Ramban, promptly responded to the scene to initiate rescue operations. However, the challenging terrain, darkness, and ongoing rainfall hindered immediate rescue efforts.
Bashir Ahmad Magray, President of the Civil QRT Ramban Volunteers Group, confirmed the retrieval of ten bodies from the gorge. He indicated that the victims were predominantly outside laborers en route to Kashmir for work.
The precise number of casualties and the condition of any survivors remain uncertain as further details are awaited. The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures on the perilous mountainous highways.