UDHAMPUR, Jammu and Kashmir — At least 15 people suffered injuries and two individuals lost their lives after a passenger bus skidded off a mountainous road and plunged into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district.
The accident occurred as the vehicle was en route from Pechound toward Ramnagar. According to initial reports, the driver lost control while navigating a sharp bend along the winding, hilly terrain, causing the bus to veer off the road and roll into the ravine below.
Hearing the crash, local villagers immediately rushed to the scene to assist in the rescue efforts. Volunteers worked alongside police personnel and emergency medical teams to pull passengers from the wreckage.
The injured were initially rushed to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Basantgarh for first aid and emergency stabilization. Six passengers in critical condition were subsequently transferred to the Udhampur District Hospital for specialized treatment.
District officials and administration personnel arrived at the site to oversee containment and support efforts. Authorities have confirmed that necessary assistance is being provided to the victims and their families.
A formal inquiry has been initiated by local police to determine the exact cause of the crash, examining factors such as road conditions, mechanical failure, or driver error. The incident has reignited calls from residents for enhanced safety barriers along high-altitude routes across the region.
This tragically highlights the persistent hazards associated with navigating narrow, high-altitude Mountain passes across the Western Himalayas. Local community leaders noted that similar treacherous stretches throughout the region frequently suffer from inadequate guardrails, poor street lighting, and severe erosion during rainy seasons. They urged regional road transport authorities to implement immediate infrastructure upgrades, including reinforced crash barriers and clearer warning signage along notoriously sharp turns.
Furthermore, medical authorities at the Udhampur District Hospital reported that specialized trauma teams are monitoring the critically injured passengers, while trauma counselors have been made available to support affected family members. State government representatives announced that financial aid and emergency compensation packages will be distributed to the families of the deceased and to those undergoing medical treatment. As investigations proceed, local transport unions are also being urged to conduct routine mechanical safety checks and enforce strict limits on driver shifts to prevent fatigue-related accidents on dangerous mountain routes.
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