Udhampur/Ramnagar: In a tragic road accident on Monday morning along the Ramnagar–Udhampur route in Jammu and Kashmir, at least 18 people have reportedly died and around 30 others were injured after a passenger bus lost control and plunged nearly 70–80 feet into a deep gorge near the Kaghote area.
According to initial reports, overspeeding and overloading appear to be the primary causes of the accident. The bus (registration number JK14D-2121) was traveling from Ramnagar to Udhampur and was carrying a large number of passengers, including government employees, school and college teachers, and students.
The accident occurred around 9:40 AM when the driver reportedly lost control while negotiating a sharp turn. Soon after the incident, police, traffic authorities, SDRF teams, and other rescue agencies rushed to the spot and launched a large-scale rescue operation. The bus was severely damaged after overturning in the gorge, and several passengers were thrown out, leading to serious injuries and fatalities on the spot.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly to evacuate the injured, who were later shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur via ambulances. Some critically injured passengers may be airlifted for advanced treatment.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the bus was overcrowded, with many passengers standing, which worsened the impact of the crash. Traffic DSP Pankaj Soodan stated that the situation is serious and that authorities are still working to confirm the exact number of casualties.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed deep sorrow over the incident and said he has spoken to the Udhampur Deputy Commissioner to assess the situation. He assured that relief and rescue operations are underway and all necessary assistance is being provided.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed grief, calling the accident “heart-wrenching,” and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He directed district authorities and emergency services to ensure all possible help to those affected.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences via a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.
Authorities continue rescue and relief operations as the region grapples with the aftermath of the tragic incident.
