Udhampur, April 20 — At least 21 people were killed and around over 60 injured after a passenger bus rolled down a hill in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday morning, officials said.
The accident occurred around 10 am near Kagote village in the Ramnagar area when the bus, en route to Udhampur from a remote village, was negotiating a blind curve.
“A total of 21 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage, while 61 injured have been shifted to hospitals. Many of them are in serious condition,” an official said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the tragic road accident, saying the government stands firmly with the victims and their families in this hour of grief, and all necessary assistance is being extended
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said arrangements were being made to airlift critically injured persons. “Just now spoke to DC Udhampur, Minga Sherpa after learning about a tragic road accident… involving a public transport bus on way from Ramnagar to Udhampur,” he said in a post on X.
“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,” he added.
Locals were the first to reach the site and began pulling out passengers from the wreckage before police and other emergency responders joined the operation. Authorities said rescue and evacuation efforts were carried out on a priority basis.
Singh said he remains in constant touch with the district administration and local teams assisting in the rescue.