Jammu: At least 16 people were killed and several others injured after a passenger bus veered off the road and plunged into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday morning. Authorities said the toll could rise further as many of the injured remain in critical condition.
The bus, travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur, reportedly lost control while negotiating a blind curve around 10 am, overturned, and fell down a steep hillside.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with personnel from the Army, police, and local residents working together to evacuate passengers from the wreckage. The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he has spoken to district officials and assured that all possible assistance is being provided. He added that arrangements are being made to airlift critically injured passengers for advanced medical care.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident and affirmed that the government “stands firmly with the victims and their families in this hour of grief” and added that the government is extending all necessary support to the victims and their families.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the accident as heartbreaking and said he has directed the district administration, police, disaster response teams, and the health department to ensure immediate assistance and medical care.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also expressed grief over the tragedy, offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with hilly terrain routes in the region, where sharp curves and narrow roads often contribute to accidents.
