J&K: At least 35 passengers were killed, 17 injured on Monday morning when a mini bus fell into a deep gorge along Keshwan-Thakrai road in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, police officials said.
The mini bus, according to initial reports, appeared to be carrying excess passengers.
The accident took place around 7.50 am in Keshwan area of the hilly district. Bodies of 20 passengers have been recovered so far, IGP, Jammu, M K Sinha, told news sources.
Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Angrez Singh confirmed the death toll saying, “35 were killed and 17 critically injured,five are in critical condition.
Meanwhile, sources said the bus was on its way to Kishtwar at that time when the driver lost control over the steering on a curve.
The locals immediately swung into action to bring the dead and the injured on the road. The police and security forces from nearby areas also reached the site to launch a rescue operation.
A probe has been ordered into the incident. More details are awaited.
Meanwhile ,Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah took to Twitter and condoled the death, stating, “Terrible news coming in about the high death toll in a bus accident in Kishtwar. Condolences to the families of the deceased & prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.”