At least 21 people have died after a passenger bus lost control and plunged into a gorge in Kashmir’s Udhampur district.
The crash occurred on Monday along a mountainous highway in the region.
Authorities said the 42-seater bus was travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur.
However, it lost control at a sharp curve.
The bus then hit an auto-rickshaw and veered off the road.
Afterward, it fell about 100 feet down a steep slope before landing on a lower road. Emergency responders confirmed that 19 passengers died at the scene.
Later, two others died in hospital from their injuries.
Meanwhile, dozens of passengers sustained injuries.
Rescue teams rushed many of them to nearby hospitals, with several reported in critical condition.
Rescue teams arrived quickly at the crash site.
They worked with local residents to evacuate survivors.
Despite difficult terrain, they recovered bodies from the wreckage.
Officials have not confirmed the exact cause of the accident.
However, early reports suggest several contributing factors.
These include sharp bends, possible overloading, and poor road conditions.
Such challenges are common in mountainous regions.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about road safety in the area.
Authorities say accidents remain frequent in Himalayan regions.
Narrow roads and steep cliffs often increase the risk of crashes.
Officials have launched an investigation into the incident.
They aim to determine the exact cause and prevent future accidents.
