21 killed as bus plunges down hill in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur

A routine commute turned into a devastating disaster in J ammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday, after a passenger bus l ost control on a sharp mountain curve and plunged nearly 100 metres down a hillside, killing 21 people and injuring at least 29 others .

The accident occurred around 10 am near Kagort village in the Ramnagar area, when the bus, carrying about 50 passengers , was on its way from Ramnagar to Udhampur . Officials said the driver lost control while negotiating a blind curve , causing the vehicle to veer off the narrow road, tumble down the slope, and crush an auto-rickshaw before landing upside down on the road below. Those in the auto also sustained injuries.

The impact was catastrophic. The bus was reduced to a mangled heap of iron , with its upper portion almost completely torn off. Several passengers died instantly, while others succumbed to injuries later in hospitals. Authorities confirmed that 15 victims were found dead at the scene , with more fatalities reported during treatment, pushing the toll to 21.

A swift and coordinated rescue operation was launched, led initially by an Army convoy passing through the area , whose personnel rushed to secure the site and pull survivors from the wreckage. Police teams, local residents, and emergency responders joined the effort, working under extremely difficult conditions to extract the injured.

Many survivors were shifted to nearby hospitals , with some critically injured patients being prepared for airlifting to advanced medical facilities. Officials said the rescue was particularly challenging due to the steep terrain and the severely damaged vehicle.

Condolences poured in from across the country. Droupadi Murmu and Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the loss of lives. The Prime Minister announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured .

Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured full support, directing authorities to provide immediate relief and medical assistance . Several other leaders, including Mehbooba Mufti and Tariq Hameed Karra, also expressed grief and called for urgent aid.

Officials said senior police officers, including Director General Nalin Prabhat , are closely monitoring the situation. Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident, focusing on driver control, road conditions, and possible mechanical failure.