At least 15 dead, 20 injured after bus falls into gorge in Udhampur

At least 15 people have died, and several others were injured when a passenger bus plunged into a gorge in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday (April 20).

The bus met with the accident on the hilly road while negotiating a blind curve near Kagort village in Ram Nagar area around 10 am, the officials said.

They said a major rescue operation is underway. Several persons were shifted to the hospital from the scene, and their condition is stated to be critical.

Rescue efforts intensify

The bus was on its way to Udhampur from a remote village when the accident took place, the officials said.

Locals were the first to reach the spot and began rescue efforts, pulling out the injured from the wreckage. Police and other emergency responders soon joined the operation to evacuate the victims and clear the site.

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A total of 15 bodies were recovered from the wreckage of the vehicle, while 20 injured people were evacuated to the hospital and the condition of many of them was stated to be “serious”, the officials said.

Minister speaks to officials

Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated in a post on X that he had spoken to Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa following the incident.

“Just now spoke to DC Udhampur, Minga Sherpa, after learning about a tragic road accident, less than an hour ago, at village Kanote, involving a public transport bus on its way from Ramnagar to Udhampur. The rescue operation has been immediately undertaken. Heavy casualties are expected. All possible assistance is being provided. The injured will be shifted for medical aid. Arrangements being made to airlift the seriously injured. I am in constant touch with the local administration as well as our local workers team led by Rajinder Sharma,” stated Singh.

LG expresses grief

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the incident, describing it as “heartbreaking.”

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"Tragic road accident in Udhampur is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to bereaved families. May God grant them strength. Praying for speedy recovery of injured. I have directed district admin, Police, SDRF & Health Dept to provide every possible assistance to those affected."

Injured shifted, retrieval continues

Meanwhile, the injured are being shifted to Government Medical College Udhampur, officials said.

Dr Sanjeev Gupta, Medical Superintendent of the hospital and its associated facilities, said efforts are continuing to recover the bodies of those who lost their lives in the mishap.

(With agency inputs)