Two women pilgrims lose their lives, girl injured in landslide on Vaishno Devi track
A tragic incident occurred on the new Mata Vaishno Devi route in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, resulting in the loss of two women pilgrims’ lives and injuring a young girl.
Official sources said that a sudden landslide and shooting stones struck the route near Panchi, causing widespread destruction, including the demolition of an overhead iron structure.
They said two women died in the incident while a girl sustained injuries and was hospitalized.
The official sources added that shortly after the tragedy, the emergency services promptly responded, and the disaster management team of the Shri Vaishno Devi Shrine Board rushed to the scene to lead relief and rescue efforts.
Deputy Commissioner, Vishesh Paul Mahajan said that authorities are working diligently to ensure pilgrims’ safety and restore normalcy to the route.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the terrain and the need for constant vigilance to prevent such tragedies,” said an anguished pilgrim.
Pertinently, in January 2022, a stampede incident at the Vaishno Devi Temple resulted in the loss of 12 lives.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the incident. He approved an ex-gratia of Rs.5 lakh to be given to each of the next of kin of the deceased and other assistance, as provided in the rule, to the affected families. [KNT]
