In a heartbreaking incident from Jammu & Kashmir, at least 19 passengers lost their lives and several others sustained serious injuries after a bus skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Kagort village of Ramnagar, Udhampur district, on Monday morning.
According to initial reports, the bus lost control while negotiating a dangerous sharp curve, leading to the fatal accident.
DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, stated:
“The driver may have lost control at a sharp turn. The vehicle hit a parapet and rolled down into the gorge.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether overloading played a role, and a detailed investigation is underway.
Immediately after the accident, police, SDRF teams, and local residents rushed to the spot and launched a large-scale rescue operation.
- Injured passengers were evacuated and shifted to nearby hospitals, including GMC Udhampur
- Emergency teams worked for hours to retrieve victims from the gorge
- Several injured remain in critical condition
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragic loss of lives. In a post on X, he said:
“Pained by the loss of lives in the bus accident in Udhampur. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
He also announced:
- ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for families of the deceased
- ₹50,000 assistance for the injured
Leaders React to the Tragedy
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that many victims died on the spot, while others suffered severe injuries.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed deep sorrow, assuring full government support to affected families and directing authorities to provide immediate relief and medical care.
This tragic incident once again highlights the risks of hilly terrain driving in Jammu & Kashmir, where sharp curves, narrow roads, and deep gorges often lead to fatal accidents.
