Tragedy struck in the Battery Chasma area of the Ramban-Banihal region in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday night when an overloaded vehicle met with a devastating accident, resulting in the loss of 10 precious lives. The ill-fated Tavera vehicle, designed to accommodate only seven passengers, was carrying 10 people on board, well exceeding its seating capacity.
The accident occurred late on Thursday night, and rescue efforts were initially hampered by heavy rainfall in the area, preventing an immediate response. However, on Friday morning, despite the persistent rain and challenging conditions involving stone shooting at the accident site, a coordinated rescue operation was launched by the Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Response Force (JK SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and local volunteers.
After a grueling effort, the rescue teams have successfully recovered all 10 bodies from the accident site. The bodies, including that of the vehicle’s driver, are now being shifted to the roadside by the rescue team. The identities of the victims are yet to be ascertained.
The cause of the accident is yet to be determined officially, but overloading the vehicle is suspected to be a significant contributing factor. Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution and strictly adhere to vehicular safety norms, including not exceeding the recommended seating capacity, to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring.
The accident has cast a pall of grief over the region, and the authorities have assured that all necessary resources will be mobilized to support the families of the victims during this trying time. Further details regarding the identities of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the accident are awaited as investigations into the incident progress.
