Passenger bus rolls, falls into gorge in J&K’s Udhampur after making sharp turn on hill; 15 killed

At least 15 people have been killed, and 20 people were injured after a public transport bus plunged down about 100 feet from the road into a lower road. Rescue operations are underway. Officials warn that the death toll could rise.

According to people at the scene of the accident, the bus was overloaded and speeding. Reports also say that the bus lost control after a tyre burst while making a sharp turn on the high, hilly road. The vehicle then rolled down the steep rocky slope around 100 feet before landing overturned on a lower road on the hill.

Visuals from the accident site show that the bus was crushed.

The accident occurred at around 10 am. The passenger bus was headed to Udhampur.

Several passengers have been hospitalised and are in a critical condition, local reports say. Rescue teams and the local administration are in the area.

The Udhampur-Ramnagar road is on a hilly terrain. The road can be dangerous and is not maintained due to the weather.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on X, “Just now spoke to DC Udhampur, Sh Minga Sherpa after learning about a tragic road accident, less than an hour ago, at village Kanote, involving a public transport bus on 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 Sh Rajinder Sharma.”

In January , about 10 soldiers and 11 others were killed in an accident in the mountainous Doda district, after the vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge.