Jammu-Kashmir: 11 pilgrims dead after vehicle rolls down river

Kishtwar: At least 11 people were killed as a vehicle carrying pilgrims rolled down into the Chenab river in Kawad area of Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Assistant Superintendent of Police of Kishtwar, Perbeet Singh, while confirming the deaths told MyNation, "Eleven dead bodies have been recovered so far. We have also rescued a five-year-old child with serious injuries and they have been shifted to a hospital for further treatment. We are yet to recover the vehicle which went down into the river. Once we recover the vehicle, only then we will be able to share more information. Jawans of Jammu and Kashmir police are on the ground to carry rescue operations".

A senior administrative official told MyNation, "The accident took place at early hours in the morning when a vehicle carrying pilgrims who were on its way to pay their respects at the annual Machail Yatra, rolled down into the Chenab river. Rescue and relief operations have been launched by the district administration along with the Jammu and Kashmir police. We fear the number of causalities could go up to a dozen".

Kishtwar Director General of Police SP Vaid tweeted, "Another major accident in Kishtwar, a vehicle carrying yatris to Machail Mata rolled down in river Chenab 28 kilometres from Kishtwar towards Padder, 5-year-old child lone survivor, about dozen feared dead."

This is the second major accident that happened within 24 hours in Kishtwar district. Seven people have lost their lives in an accident in Kishtwar district on Monday when a landslide hit a mini-bus and a car.