At least 16 people lost their lives and 19 others were injured after a passenger bus rolled down a steep hillside in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday morning, triggering a massive rescue operation in the region. The tragic accident took place near Kagort village in the Ram Nagar area at around 10 am when the bus was negotiating a blind curve and reportedly lost control before plunging down the slope.
According to officials, local residents were the first to rush to the accident site and began rescuing passengers trapped in the mangled vehicle. Soon after, police teams and emergency responders reached the spot and joined the rescue operation, helping evacuate the injured and recover bodies from the wreckage. Authorities confirmed that 15 bodies were initially recovered from the accident site, while around 20 injured passengers were shifted to nearby hospitals. Many of the injured are said to be in serious condition, raising fears that the death toll may rise further.
The bus was reportedly travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur when the accident occurred. Preliminary reports suggest the driver lost control while navigating a dangerous bend on the hilly road, causing the vehicle to overturn and fall into the gorge. The difficult terrain made rescue operations challenging, but local villagers played a critical role in providing immediate help before official rescue teams arrived.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh reacted swiftly to the tragedy and said he had spoken to Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa soon after receiving information about the incident. He assured that all possible assistance was being provided and arrangements were being made to airlift seriously injured passengers for urgent medical care.
In a statement posted on X, Singh said, “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.”
The minister also stated that he remains in constant touch with the local administration and BJP workers who are assisting in the rescue operation on the ground. Officials are continuing efforts to ensure timely medical treatment for the injured, while an investigation is expected to determine the exact cause of the accident.
