Tragic bus accident in Udhampur claims 15 lives

Jammu, Apr 20: A devastating road accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district left at least 15 people dead and 20 others injured on Monday morning.

The incident occurred around 10:00 AM when a passenger bus veered off the road and rolled down a steep hill near Kagort village in the Ramnagar area of the Udhampur district, police said.

The bus was en route from a remote village to Udhampur town when the driver reportedly lost control while negotiating a sharp “blind curve,” they said.

Local residents were the first to arrive at the scene, scrambling down the hillside to pull victims from the wreckage.

Police, emergency responders, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) soon joined the operation to evacuate the survivors, they said.

Officials confirmed 15 fatalities at the site. Of the 20 injured individuals currently hospitalized, several remain in critical condition.

​Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha have been monitoring the situation closely.

​”Arrangements are being made to airlift the seriously injured victims to ensure they receive advanced medical care,” stated Union Minister , noting he is in constant coordination with Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Minga Sherpa.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his heartbreak over the incident, stating he has directed the district administration and health departments to provide “every possible assistance” to the affected families.

The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, affirming that the government stands firmly with the victims during this hour of grief. Authorities are expected to launch a formal investigation into the cause of the crash, focusing on the treacherous road conditions and the vehicle’s mechanical state.