Srinagar witnessed a series of heartbreaking events on Wednesday, claiming the lives of four individuals, including two tourists, while a house collapse in Bandipora injured ten others. The Kashmir Valley, often a beacon for travelers, turned somber as these tragedies unfolded.
In a shocking turn, two male tourists were brought dead to hospitals in Srinagar. One, identified as Taranjeet Singh from Uttar Pradesh, was rushed unconscious from a hotel near Dal Lake to SMHS Hospital. Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival, sparking immediate medical-legal procedures to ascertain the cause.
Barely hours later, another tourist, Ramchand Mahindrakar from Maharashtra, staying at a hotel in Hyderpora, was referred from JVC Bemina to SKIMS Soura in an unconscious state. He too was declared dead upon arrival. Authorities have initiated post-mortem examinations to uncover the exact reasons behind these untimely deaths.
Tragedy struck further when a CRPF head constable from the 44th Battalion, Harinath, suffered a suspected cardiac arrest in Srinagar’s HMT area late at night. He complained of discomfort before being found unconscious in his room. Initial assessments point to a sudden heart attack, though full investigations are underway.
In Kulgam district, 32-year-old Mashook Ahmad Mir from Kulpora met a tragic end, likely due to asphyxiation. Waiting in his car outside the district hospital with the heater on to combat the biting cold while his wife received treatment, he was found unconscious inside the vehicle. Despite rushed medical aid, he was pronounced dead.
Compounding the day’s woes, a two-story house in Chandergir village, Hajin area of Bandipora, collapsed during a condolence meeting, injuring 10 people gathered to mourn the homeowner’s death. The excessive weight from the crowd is believed to have triggered the collapse, causing chaos as debris trapped several attendees. Local residents and officials swiftly rescued the victims.
Five injured were admitted to Hajin health center, while the others were treated at Safapora hospital. All are reported stable. Police have launched a probe into the structural failure, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the region amid harsh winter conditions.