15 people were killed and 20 others injured
Udhampur: A severe road accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district claimed at least 22 lives and left 20 others injured on Monday morning. The incident occurred when a passenger bus travelling through the Ramnagar area lost control while negotiating a sharp blind curve near Kagort village. The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and rolled down a steep hillside around 10 am.
Immediately after the crash, the residents from nearby villages rushed to the scene. Before emergency teams arrived, locals began pulling survivors out of the damaged vehicle, helping several injured passengers reach safety. Their quick response is believed to have saved multiple lives amid the wreckage.
Police, medical teams and disaster response personnel soon reached the location and launched a coordinated rescue operation. The authorities confirmed that 22 passengers were declared dead on the spot after their bodies were recovered from the mangled bus. Around 20 injured individuals were evacuated and shifted to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment, with several reported to be in critical condition.
Officials stated that the injured passengers were initially stabilised at local medical facilities. Given the seriousness of some cases, arrangements were being made to airlift critically injured victims to higher medical centres for advanced treatment. Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa supervised the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that he was in direct contact with district officials following the accident. He noted that full assistance was being provided to the victims and their families. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as investigations begin into the cause of the crash, with early indications pointing to the difficult terrain and sharp turn as possible contributing factors.
Rescue teams remain deployed in the area to clear debris and ensure no passengers are left trapped in the wreckage.
