A tourist bus travelling from Srinagar to Jammu overturned near Maroog in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, leaving 33 passengers injured, according to police.
The bus, which was carrying more than 50 passengers, was travelling along National Highway-44 (NH-44) when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle near Ramban. The bus overturned, prompting an immediate rescue response from police personnel, local residents and security personnel in the area.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Tourist sleeper bus overturned on NH-44.
Location: Near Maroog, Ramban district, Jammu & Kashmir.
Vehicle: West Bengal-registered tourist bus travelling from Srinagar to Jammu.
Casualties: Police reported 33 passengers injured; nine were referred to GMC Jammu
Response: Police, local residents and security personnel assisted in rescue and evacuation operations.
The injured passengers were shifted to District Hospital Ramban for medical treatment. Police said nine of the injured were subsequently referred to Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu.
Initial reports indicate that the passengers were tourists travelling from the Kashmir Valley towards Jammu. The bus had a West Bengal registration and was operating as a sleeper coach.
Rescue Operation Underway
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The accident highlights the road-safety challenges faced by passengers travelling through the mountainous sections of the Jammu-Srinagar highway. The incident also comes amid traffic advisories concerning construction activity, single-lane stretches and natural hazards along parts of NH-44. However, those conditions should not automatically be treated as the cause of this particular accident. For tourists travelling between Srinagar and Jammu, the latest road conditions, vehicle fitness and responsible driving remain important safety considerations.
Following the accident, police, local residents and security personnel assisted in evacuating passengers from the overturned vehicle.
The response involved police and other emergency personnel, with medical teams treating the injured and arranging transfers for those requiring further care.
Authorities also worked to manage traffic around the affected stretch of NH-44.
Highway Conditions Add to the Safety Context
The accident occurred on a section of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway where traffic advisories have recently highlighted several challenging road conditions.
A traffic advisory for October 1 noted single-lane stretches, road construction, possible shooting stones and landslide-related risks in parts of the Ramban-Banihal section. Drivers have been advised to maintain lane discipline, avoid overtaking and confirm the latest highway conditions before travelling.
This does not establish that road conditions caused the accident. Police have reported that the driver apparently lost control, while the precise circumstances surrounding the crash remain subject to investigation.
