Ertiga vehicle in Amarnath Yatra convoy met with an accident, 5 people including a woman devotee injured.
Jammu: A vehicle met with an accident during the Amarnath Yatra in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday morning. The accident occurred in the Toldi Nala area when an Ertiga car carrying a group of Amarnath pilgrims traveling on the Pahalgam route suddenly lost control and overturned. Five passengers, including a female pilgrim, were seriously injured in the accident.
According to reports, the vehicle involved in the accident, an Ertiga car with registration number MP12ZB2836, was part of a convoy of pilgrims traveling from Jammu to the Amarnath Yatra via the Pahalgam route. All passengers are believed to be residents of Madhya Pradesh.
It was reported that around 6:15 a.m. Friday, while the vehicle was passing through the Toldi Nala area of Udhampur, the driver suddenly lost control. The car skidded off the road, and two of its tires went into a roadside drain. The loss of balance caused the vehicle to tilt to one side, overturn, and crash.
The accident erupted in screams from the pilgrims in the vehicle. Bystanders and passengers from other vehicles in the yatra convoy immediately rushed to help. Chaos reigned at the accident site for a while.
With the help of locals and security personnel, the injured pilgrims were pulled out of the vehicle and rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment. The condition of one female pilgrim is reported to be critical, while the other four are undergoing treatment.
According to preliminary information, the accident was caused by the vehicle skidding out of control. However, the police have launched an investigation into the matter and are investigating whether road conditions, weather, or any other factor contributed to the driver’s loss of control.
The administration is already on high alert regarding the safety of pilgrims during the Amarnath Yatra. Police, security forces, and disaster management teams have been deployed along the yatra routes. Help centers and medical facilities have been provided at various locations to deal with any emergency.
Officials said that relief and rescue operations were immediately initiated following the accident. Other vehicles in the yatra convoy were also checked to ensure the safety of all pilgrims.
The Amarnath Yatra is considered one of the most difficult religious pilgrimages in the country. Due to the mountainous terrain, narrow roads, and changing weather, drivers are advised to exercise special caution during the pilgrimage. The administration consistently urges both pilgrims and drivers to maintain speed and adhere to safety rules.
Sharp turns and steep slopes at many locations along the yatra route require extra caution while driving. Drivers of vehicles carrying pilgrims are especially advised to exercise caution.
Following this accident, the administration has once again appealed to drivers to exercise caution on the yatra route. Officials say that the safety of pilgrims is a top priority and all necessary steps are being taken to avoid any negligence.
Currently, the injured pilgrims are undergoing treatment, and the administration is monitoring their condition. Police have taken the accident vehicle into custody and initiated further investigation.
This incident has once again highlighted the importance of safety and vigilance during the Amarnath Yatra. However, it is a matter of relief that due to timely rescue operations, all the injured were safely transported to the hospital. The administration has appealed to pilgrims to remain patient during the journey, follow the instructions of drivers, and not ignore safety rules.