Udhampur: At least 15 people lost their lives and around 20 others suffered injuries after a passenger bus met with a devastating accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday. The vehicle, operating on the Ramnagar-Udhampur route, reportedly veered off the road near Kanote village and plunged into a deep gorge, triggering a major rescue operation.
According to officials, the accident occurred while the bus was negotiating a sharp turn along a mountainous stretch when the driver allegedly lost control. The vehicle rolled nearly 100 feet down a rocky slope before coming to rest on a lower road, causing severe damage and trapping several passengers inside.
Emergency responders, including local authorities, police personnel and rescue teams, rushed to the accident site soon after the incident was reported. Injured passengers were evacuated and taken to Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur for treatment, while efforts continued to recover bodies from the wreckage.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he was in touch with the district administration following the accident and confirmed that rescue measures were initiated immediately. He said arrangements were being made to provide medical aid to the injured, including possible airlifting of critically wounded passengers if required.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of those killed. He also directed the district administration, police, SDRF and health officials to ensure all necessary assistance is provided to victims and their families.
Hospital authorities in Udhampur said several injured were being treated, while the condition of some passengers remained serious. Officials indicated that the death toll could be revised as rescue and recovery efforts progressed.
The incident has once again drawn attention to road safety concerns on hilly routes in Jammu and Kashmir, where difficult terrain, sharp bends and challenging driving conditions have often contributed to serious accidents. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the crash.
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