Bus carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims catches fire in Katra, four dead
JAMMU: Four people were killed, while 24 others sustained burn injuries after a bus, which was mostly ferrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims, caught fire in Katra on Friday.
An eyewitness said, “The bus caught fire near Kharmal, which is around 1.5km away from Katra. Passengers jumped out of the burning bus to save themselves from the flames.”
Fire tenders were dispatched to the spot, but the bus had been completely gutted by the time they reached.
Confirming the casualties, Reasi district commissioner Babila Rakwal said, “The injured were evacuated to a community health centre and then to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu.”
Officials suspect that a shortcircuit due to overheating may have caused the blaze.
Additional director general of police (ADGP), Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh, said Forensic Science Laboratory Division (FSL) teams had been deputed to the spot to ascertain the cause of the incident. “As per preliminary investigation, the fire started from engine and soon engulfed the whole bus,” he said.
A youngster, who was injured in the incident, said, “There was a blast in the engine and the fire soon engulfed the bus. I was sitting in the back and managed to jumped out of the window. People sitting close to the engine bore the brunt of the blast.”
Woman receives 82% burns , critical
GMCH medical superintendent Dr ADS Manhas said, “We treated 24 patients. A woman, who sustained 82% burns, is critical. Three to four patients have suffered orthopaedic injuries and others have superficial burn injuries.”
L-G announces ₹5 lakh ex-gratia for next of kin
Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha announced ex-gratia relief of ₹5 lakh to the next of kin of four passengers who lost their lives in the fire.
Those who were seriously injured will be given ₹1 lakh each.