SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 16 Hindu pilgrims were killed and 16 others were injured after a truck carrying them fell into a deep gorge in Indian- controlled Kashmir, officials said Friday.
The accident took place late Thursday night near Zamoorha Morh in Mansar area of Samba district, around 50 km southwest of Jammu city, the winter capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"In a tragic road accident Thursday night at 11:30, a truck carrying the Hindu pilgrims back from Amarnath cave fell into deep gorge, killing 16 of them and injuring 16 others," said a police official posted in Samba. "The people on board were Hindu pilgrims associated with charitable community kitchen at base camp of the holy cave."
According to officials, the ill-fated truck bearing registration number 3901 JK02AE was on way to carry the volunteers back to their homes in New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, when it skidded off the road near Zamoorha Morh.
"Soon after news about accident reached to us, we sent police party and asked help from Indian army and Border Security Force ( BSF) in carrying out rescue efforts," the official said.
The injured were referred to Government Medical College, Jammu hospital for treatment.
India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) Friday said 11 persons were killed on spot and five others succumbed to their injuries in district hospital Samba. Reports said 34 people were traveling in truck when it met an accident.
Preliminary investigations suggest driver lost control of the vehicle, while negotiating a sharp curve on road, police said.
This is the second major accident claiming lives of Hindu pilgrims returning from the holy cave.
On July 14, at least 15 Hindu pilgrims were killed and 17 others were injured after a passenger bus they were traveling in fell into a deep gorge near Digdol in Ramban district, around 160 km south of Srinagar.
The pilgrimage to holy cave shrine (housing the ice stalagmite) situated at 3,888 meters above sea level began on June 25. It is expected to end by August 2.
Deadly road accidents are common in this mountainous region often caused by overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving.
According to region's traffic department, at least 1,120 people were killed and 10,108 were injured in 6,644 road accidents across Indian-controlled Kashmir last year.
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