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Jammu, April 20: A tragic road accident left at least 15 people dead and 20 others injured after a passenger bus rolled down a steep slope in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said.
The mishap occurred around 10 am near Kagort village in Ramnagar area when the bus, which was said to be on its way from a remote village to Udhampur, lost control on a blind curve and fell into a deep gorge.
Shortly after the accident, local residents rushed to the scene, initiated immediate rescue measures and pulled the injured out of the destroyed remains of the vehicle. The police, together with other emergency teams, quickly reached the scene and intensified the rescue and evacuation operation.
Officials confirmed that 15 bodies were recovered from the rubble and 20 injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals. Several of the injured are said to be in critical condition, raising fears the death toll could rise.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh spoke to Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa soon after the incident and assured full support to the government. He said arrangements were being made to airlift the seriously injured for advanced medical care.
“I spoke to DC Udhampur after coming to know about the tragic accident in Kanote village involving a public transport bus en route from Ramnagar to Udhampur. Rescue operations were initiated immediately. All possible assistance is being provided and arrangements are being made for air transport of the seriously injured,” Singh said in a post on X.
He added that he is in constant contact with the district administration and local teams involved in the rescue operation to ensure timely assistance to the victims.
