Udhampur (Jammu & Kashmir): In a tragic road accident, at least 15 people were killed and several others injured after a passenger bus lost control and rolled down a steep hillside near Udhampur district on Monday.
The accident occurred near Kagort village on the Ramnagar–Udhampur road when the bus was negotiating a blind curve. According to officials, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which then veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge. The impact caused extensive damage to the bus, trapping passengers inside.
Local residents were the first to respond, rushing to the scene and assisting in rescue efforts before police and emergency teams arrived. The injured were quickly shifted to nearby hospitals, where several are reported to be in critical condition. Authorities said the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue.
Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, with initial indications pointing to difficult terrain and the sharp curve as possible contributing factors. The identities of the deceased are being confirmed, and efforts are underway to inform their families.
The incident has cast a pall of grief over the region and once again highlighted the dangers of travel on mountainous roads in Jammu and Kashmir, where narrow stretches and blind turns often pose serious risks to commuters.
