Two students lose lives, 23 injured in college bus accident
LG, CM, others express grief; magisterial inquiry ordered
Waris Fayaz
Srinagar, Apr 12 : A pall of gloom descended across the Kashmir Valley as two young female students lost their lives while 23 others received injuries after a bus carrying college students en route to a picnic met with a severe accident in Vodhpora, Handwara in north Kashmir.
Officials informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the accident occurred around 8:30 am, shortly after the college bus reportedly lost control and overturned under unclear circumstances. They said the emergency teams, along with local residents, rushed to the scene to rescue the injured and shift them to Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara.
The incident claimed the lives of two young female students and left 23 others injured, an official said. Among the deceased are Asiya Rashid, who was declared brought dead at GMC Handwara, and Mymoona Ali, a final-year student who later succumbed to her injuries at a hospital in Srinagar after being referred in critical condition.
The official added that the students from Government Degree College (GDC) Sogam had set off early for a recreational trip to the famed Tulip Garden in Srinagar when the incident occurred.
Medical Superintendent, GMC Handwara, Dr Aijaz said 23 students were injured in the mishap, most of whom are in stable condition. “We referred two critically injured students to Srinagar for specialized treatment. Unfortunately, one of them could not survive,” he said.
Meanwhile, a magisterial inquiry has also been ordered to probe the circumstances surrounding the accident, including whether it was due to vehicle failure, driver error or other reasons.
Following the tragic bus accident that claimed the lives of two of its students, Government Degree College (GDC) Sogam suspended classwork as a mark of respect and mourning.
The college administration said the decision was taken to honour the memory of Asiya Rashid and Mymoona Ali, both promising students whose sudden demise has left the institution and the entire community in shock.