Amarnath Yatra bus plunges into gorge in Ganderbal, 30 pilgrims injured
Synopsis
A bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims plunged into a gorge near Hariganiwan in Ganderbal on 28 July, injuring 30 of the nearly 40 on board. Two sustained head trauma but remain stable. The incident is the latest road accident to strike the high-altitude pilgrimage route, raising fresh questions about safety on mountain roads during the Yatra season.
Key Takeaways
30 Amarnath Yatris were injured on 28 July after bus AR11 D5655 skidded into a gorge near Hariganiwan, Ganderbal , Jammu and Kashmir.
The bus was carrying nearly 40 pilgrims ; two sustained head trauma but are reported stable.
All injured were shifted to Kangan hospital ; police have launched an investigation into the cause.
A cumulative 4,26,339 pilgrims have completed darshan since the 57-day Yatra began on 3 July .
The Pahalgam route remained suspended on Tuesday due to track maintenance; 3,029 Yatris departed for Baltal in an escorted convoy.
At least 30 Amarnath Yatris were injured on Tuesday, 28 July after a bus carrying nearly 40 pilgrims skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. The accident occurred near the S-Mode area of Hariganiwan in the Gund region, according to officials.
How the Accident Unfolded
Officials said the driver of the Yatri bus bearing registration number AR11 D5655 lost control of the vehicle near Hariganiwan, causing it to skid off the road and plunge into a gorge. The bus was transporting pilgrims as part of the ongoing 57-day Amarnath Yatra, which commenced on 3 July.
Rescue teams comprising police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers rushed to the site immediately and launched a relief operation. All 30 injured pilgrims were shifted to the nearby Kangan hospital for treatment.
Condition of the Injured
Two of the injured pilgrims sustained head trauma but are currently reported to be in stable condition, according to officials. All other injured passengers are also stated to be stable. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Yatra Progress So Far
The accident comes amid the ongoing pilgrimage season. On Monday, nearly 12,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres in the South Kashmir district of Anantnag. Officials confirmed that 11,996 pilgrims performed darshan at the holy cave via the Baltal track by Monday evening.
With this, a cumulative total of 4,26,339 pilgrims have had darshan at the holy cave during the last 25 days since the Yatra began. A fresh batch of 3,029 Yatris departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Baltal base camp in an escorted convoy on Tuesday morning. The Yatra through the South Kashmir Pahalgam route remained suspended for the day due to track maintenance.
Upcoming Religious Observances
The Bhoomi Pujan, Navgrah Puja, and Dawajarohan of Chhari Mubarak are scheduled to be traditionally performed in Pahalgam on Ashad Purnima, 29 July, by Mahant Deependra Giri Ji, the custodian of the holy mace of Shri Amarnath Ji. On the return journey, the Chhari Mubarak will visit the holy Sun temple of Martand (Mattan) and the Ganeshbal temple near Pahalgam for traditional pujas.
Road accidents on the narrow mountain routes of Jammu and Kashmir have been a recurring concern during the Yatra season. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols along the Ganderbal stretch following this incident.
Point of View
Overloaded corridors, yet systemic fixes remain elusive. The question is not just about this one bus but about whether the administration's convoy and vehicle-fitness protocols are keeping pace with the surge in pilgrims — over 4.26 lakh in 25 days this year. With the Pahalgam route already suspended for track maintenance, pressure on the Baltal corridor is higher than usual, making safety oversight more critical, not less.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Amarnath Yatra bus in Ganderbal on 28 July?
A bus carrying nearly 40 Amarnath pilgrims skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge near the S-Mode area of Hariganiwan in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, on 28 July. At least 30 pilgrims were injured and shifted to Kangan hospital; all are currently in stable condition.
How many Amarnath pilgrims were injured in the Ganderbal accident?
At least 30 pilgrims were injured. Two of them sustained head trauma but are reported to be stable, according to officials. The remaining injured passengers are also in stable condition.
What is the status of the Amarnath Yatra following the accident?
The Yatra is continuing. A batch of 3,029 pilgrims departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Baltal base camp on Tuesday morning. However, the Pahalgam route remained suspended for the day due to track maintenance.
How many pilgrims have completed the Amarnath Yatra so far in 2025?
A total of 4,26,339 pilgrims have had darshan at the holy cave in the 25 days since the 57-day Yatra began on 3 July. On Monday alone, nearly 12,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the shrine.
What action has been taken after the Ganderbal bus accident?
Police, SDRF teams, and local volunteers launched an immediate rescue operation at the site. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident.
