10 killed, 3 injured as bus falls into gorge in Uri

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 9:  In a tragic accident on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, at least 10 persons died and three others were injured when a taxi rolled down into a gorge in North Kashmir border area of Uri this afternoon.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla told Excelsior that the ill-fated sumo passengers were returning to home from Boniyar after offering Friday prayers when the driver failed to negotiate a cure on a steep mountainous road near the Line of Control in Uri.
Six persons died on the spot while four of them succumbed to their injuries in the Baramulla Sub-district Hospital while condition of three others is stated to be critical.
The overloaded Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK05B-4420 while was carrying 13 people on a steep road when only 9 people are allowed to board a sumo. The sumo fell into about 200 meters deep gorge.
The deceased persons included Abdul Hameed Geelani, Mushtaq Ahmad Geelani, Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, Abdul Qayoom Peer, Mohammad Iqbal Sheikh, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, Juma Kala, Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh and Gulam Hasan Sheikh.
Four injured persons identified as Ali Mohammad Lone, Basharat Ahmad, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah and Fareed Ahmad Sood were later referred to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar for specialized treatment and one among them succumbed to injuries.
A pall of gloom descended across the Boniyar belt on this auspicious as the news spread in the area. The dead bodies have been handed over to the relatives for last rites.
Senior Police officers including SSP Baramulla reached the spot and was supervising the rescue operation.
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah expressed shock over the loss of human lives in the mishap. In his condolence message to the bereaved families, the Chief Minister conveyed his grief and sympathy to them.
The CM sanctioned an ex-gratia relief of Rs one lakh for the deceased and Rs. 10,000 for the injured. The Chief Minister directed the District Administration and Health Department for providing all possible medicare to the injured.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Member Parliament Mohammad Shafi Uri, Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din and Minister for CA&PD and Transport, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan have expressed deep grief and shock over the loss of precious human lives.
They also directed the district administration to provide best medical assistance to the injured persons and also prayed for their speedy recovery.

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