Bus accident leaves at least 37 dead in Indian part of Kashmir | World and Science

At least 37 people died in a bus accident this Wednesday, the 15th, in the Kashmir zone administered by India. The passenger vehicle skidded off a mountainous road and plunged down a slope, local government official Harvinder Singh said.

The accident occurred near the city of Doda, about 200 kilometers southeast of Srinagar, the regional capital.

Police fear that the death toll will continue to rise, as, according to authorities, many seriously injured people have been taken to hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his “condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones”.

“I pray that the injured recover as soon as possible,” Modi said, adding that the government would offer compensation of around $2,400 to the families of those killed in the accident, and around $600 to those injured (around R$ 11.6 thousand and R$ 2.9 thousand, respectively, at the current price).

On Platform X, Home Minister Amit Shah stated that “the local administration is carrying out relief operations” at the accident site.

Accidents are frequent on India’s extensive road network, which is poorly maintained and known for its danger.

According to a World Bank report released in 2021, 11% of the world’s total traffic deaths occur in India, despite the country having just 1% of the world’s vehicles.