Crash kills 12 pilgrims from city

Twelve pilgrims from Delhi are killed and 25 injured as the bus they were travelling in to Vaishno Devi, fell into a ravine near Dharamsala, report Gaurav Bisht and Vijaita Singh.

Twelve pilgrims, all from Delhi, were killed and 25 injured after the bus they were travelling in to Vaishno Devi in Jammu, fell into a ravine near Dharamsala on Wednesday night. The victims were part of a pilgrimage party to the shrine.

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The injured are being treated at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and

Research in Chandigarh. The accident occurred when the bus driver lost control while negotiating a sharp turn at Kanchi Morh.

Raj Singh Gill, the driver, who escaped unhurt, told the police that a jammed steering wheel caused the accident. He has been charged with negligent driving.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Bharat Khera has ordered a magisterial probe into the accident.

Baldev Singh Ahuja, operator of the tour, was among those who died. Two members of his family were killed as well.

DL Khurana, a relative of the Ahujas, said it was the first time in 23 years that they had changed their travel agent. “The bus took a different route this time and three members of my family have been lost forever,” he said.