18 tourists hurt in Ganderbal gorge crash, 6 critical after Sonamarg trip
Synopsis
A tourist-laden Tempo Traveller plunged into a 60-feet gorge on the Sonamarg–Srinagar highway on 10 November, injuring 18 people — six critically. LG Manoj Sinha personally intervened, directing SKIMS to treat eight of the most seriously hurt. The crash strikes mid-season as Gujarat and West Bengal tourists continue to flock to the Valley despite the autumn chill.
Key Takeaways
18 tourists were injured on 10 November when their Tempo Traveller plunged into a 60-feet gorge near Gund , Ganderbal , J&K.
Six of the injured are reportedly in critical condition ; eight have been referred to SKIMS in Srinagar.
Victims include tourists from Gujarat , West Bengal , and Punjab ; driver Jagdesh from Gurdaspur was also injured.
SDPO Kangan Rajesh Raina confirmed the accident; injured were first treated at PHC Gund before transfer to Srinagar.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha posted on X that he has directed officials and the SKIMS Director to ensure the best possible treatment.
Eighteen tourists were injured on Tuesday, 10 November when a Tempo Traveller carrying them from Sonamarg tourist resort to Srinagar skidded off the road and plunged into a 60-feet deep gorge near Gund in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir. Six of the injured were subsequently admitted to hospital in Srinagar in a critical condition, according to officials.
How the Accident Unfolded
The vehicle went off the road near Gund, a stretch on the Sonamarg–Srinagar highway that passes through steep terrain in Ganderbal. Local residents and police personnel rushed to the scene immediately to assist in the evacuation of the injured. Emergency medical resources were mobilised from multiple locations across the area, with ambulances summoned from Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Sonamarg, Gund, and Ganiwan.
All injured occupants were first taken to PHC Gund, where they received first aid and preliminary treatment, before being transferred to Srinagar for advanced medical care.
Who the Injured Are
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Kangan Rajesh Raina confirmed the accident, stating that 18 people, including the driver, sustained injuries. A partial list of 12 identified occupants — including the driver — was released by authorities.
Among those identified were tourists from Ahmedabad and Surat in Gujarat, Murshidabad and other parts of West Bengal, and Gurdaspur in Punjab. Named individuals include Sharda Bi, 58, and Ramesh Bhai, 59, from Ahmedabad; Daysha, 42, from Surat; Shobha, 50, and Rajesh Kumar from Ahmedabad; Swarnadyyti Ghosh, 24, Mala Ghosh, 48, and Surjeet Ghosh, 61, from West Bengal; and Mukesh Bhai, Kala Ben, and Rohan Bhai, all from Gujarat. Jagdesh, a resident of Gurdaspur in Punjab, has been identified as the driver of the vehicle.
According to available injury details, Sharda Bi, Ramesh Bhai, Daysha, Shobha, and Rajesh Kumar suffered head trauma. Swarnadyyti Ghosh sustained a hip injury, while Surjeet Ghosh suffered an injury to the left side of his chest.
LG Sinha Intervenes, SKIMS Put on Alert
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in a post on social media platform X on Tuesday evening, said: 'I spoke with senior officials, SKIMS Director, and the Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner regarding the unfortunate road accident at Sumbal Bala in Ganderbal. Eight injured tourists from Gujarat and West Bengal have been referred to SKIMS. I have directed the officials and the SKIMS Director to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured. Praying for their speedy recovery.'
The referral of eight patients to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) — the Valley's premier tertiary care facility — underscores the severity of injuries sustained in the crash.
Context: Autumn Tourism Season in Full Swing
The accident comes at a time when the Kashmir Valley is seeing a steady flow of visitors from West Bengal and Gujarat in particular, despite the onset of cold weather. While the formal winter tourism season is yet to begin, the tail end of the autumn season continues to draw travellers, providing a lifeline for tour operators, hoteliers, and taxi drivers during what is otherwise a lean period for the Valley's tourism economy.
Road safety on mountain highways in Jammu and Kashmir has been a persistent concern, with the Sonamarg–Srinagar corridor among the stretches that sees heavy tourist traffic during the season. Authorities are expected to review the circumstances of the crash as investigations continue.
Point of View
Particularly on the Sonamarg corridor. The LG's swift public intervention on X signals awareness of the reputational stakes — tourism is one of the Valley's few economic bright spots, and high-profile accidents risk dampening visitor confidence at a fragile moment. Yet the deeper question is structural: how many such crashes will it take before the administration mandates enforceable vehicle fitness and driver fatigue standards for tourist operators on these routes? Condolences and SKIMS referrals are necessary, but they are not a road-safety policy.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Ganderbal road accident on 10 November?
A Tempo Traveller carrying tourists from Sonamarg to Srinagar skidded off the road and fell into a 60-feet deep gorge near Gund in Ganderbal district, J&K, on 10 November, injuring 18 people including the driver. Six of the injured are reportedly in critical condition.
Where are the injured tourists being treated?
The injured were initially taken to PHC Gund for first aid, then transferred to Srinagar for advanced care. Eight of the most seriously injured have been referred to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), on the direction of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Who were the tourists involved in the Ganderbal accident?
The tourists came from Ahmedabad and Surat in Gujarat, Murshidabad and other parts of West Bengal, and Gurdaspur in Punjab. The driver, Jagdesh, is a resident of Gurdaspur, Punjab. Authorities have identified 12 of the 18 occupants by name.
What did LG Manoj Sinha say about the accident?
LG Manoj Sinha posted on X on Tuesday evening that he had spoken with senior officials, the SKIMS Director, and the Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner about the crash. He directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured and said he was praying for their speedy recovery.
Why are so many tourists visiting Kashmir in November?
The tail end of the autumn tourist season draws visitors — particularly from West Bengal and Gujarat — to the Kashmir Valley despite the cold. Formal winter tourism is yet to begin, but this transitional period provides business for local tour operators, hoteliers, and taxi drivers during an otherwise lean season.
