Amarnath Yatra: 36 pilgrims injured as buses collide with each other

New Delhi (India) July 5: Five buses collided on Saturday in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, injuring at least 36 pilgrims en route to the Amarnath Yatra.

According to them, the accident happened at about eight in the morning close to Chanderkoot on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Officials verified that one of the buses in the convoy had failed its brakes, causing the collision.

Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan said, "The last vehicle of the Pahalgam convoy lost control and hit stranded vehicles at the Chanderkot Langer site, damaging four vehicles and causing minor injuries to 36 Yatris” in a statement.

Khan claimed that the injured were taken to the Ramban district hospital by the government officials who were already on the scene.

The chief medical officer was instructed to provide the best care by a number of senior police officers who visited the hospital to oversee the injured patients' treatment.

According to officials, the convoy departed for its destination once the damaged buses were replaced. This morning, a convoy consisting of more than 110 vehicles departed Jammu for the cave shrine.

Union minister Jitendra Singh said, “There is no reason for concern. All arrangements for the pilgrims are in place and are being constantly supervised by the administration” regarding the incident.

The buses were a part of a convoy that was travelling from Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar to the Pahalgam base camp in south Kashmir. 

According to Ramban SSP Kulbir Singh, after receiving first aid, all pilgrims are willing to continue their Amarnath Yatra with the exception of three or four.

He said, “The convoy had stopped for breakfast at Chanderkote. Pilgrims suffered minor injuries but the majority of them are willing to continue their pilgrimage after first aid. However, three to four may not be able to continue their pilgrimage.” Singh also stated that more investigation into the accident is in progress.

Between 3.30 and 4.05 in the morning, two distinct convoys of the fourth group of 6,979 pilgrims—5,196 men, 1,427 women, 24 children, 331 sadhus and sadhvis, and one transgender person—left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp.

2,753 pilgrims were travelling in 151 vehicles for the shorter but steeper 14-kilometer Baltal route, while 4,226 pilgrims were leaving in 161 vehicles for Nunwan base camp on the 48-kilometer traditional Pahalgam route.

The Amarnath Yatra 2025, a significant yearly pilgrimage in Hinduism, drew both experienced and new pilgrims. On Friday, the first group of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims returned.

Aadrika Tayal