Srinagar, 12 April

Two students died and 21 others were injured after a college bus they were travelling in met with an accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Saturday, officials said.

A bus of Government Degree College Sogam carrying 27 students for picnic lost control and turned turtle near Vodpora area of Handwara, they said.

The officials said that the injured were taken to a hospital in Handwara, where one girl student was declared brought dead.

Two of the injured were referred to a hospital here in a critical condition, out of which one succumbed to the injuries, the officials said.

They added that 20 students were undergoing treatment at the Handwara hospital.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives.

'The loss of two young promising students from GDC Sogam, in the tragic accident near Handwara, is a tragedy that weighs heavily on all of us. My deepest condolences to their families in this hour of grief. Prayers for the swift recovery of the injured,' the CM's office said on X.

The chief minister said the government is closely monitoring the situation and ensuring all necessary assistance.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed deep anguish over the accident.

The lieutenant governor conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed to the almighty to give the bereaved families the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

'The news of the death of two young students in Handwara College Bus accident is extremely heartbreaking. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved family members. Praying for the early recovery of the injured,' Sinha said on X.

Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Umar Farooq, too, expressed deep sorrow and anguish over the accident.

Terming the incident as heartbreaking, he said the loss of such young, promising lives is a great tragedy that has shaken the entire community.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and patience for them to bear this irreparable loss.

The Mirwaiz also prayed for the speedy and complete recovery of all the injured students and expressed solidarity with the families and the entire college community.

He said such tragic accidents are a reminder of an urgent need to ensure the safety and security of students during educational outings and public travel, and expressed hope the authorities will take all necessary measures in this regard.