21 killed, 61 injured as bus plunges into gorge in Udhampur; PM, CM announce ex-gratia

At least 21 persons were killed and 61 injured when an overloaded passenger bus bound for Udhampur skidded off the road and rolled down a steep hillside after the driver lost control while negotiating a hairpin bend near Khagote village on the Ramnagar–Udhampur road on Monday.

Two critically injured persons were airlifted to Government Medical College, Jammu, for treatment.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the accident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. He announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each victim, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000. “I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also announced immediate relief from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund: Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, Rs 1 lakh to those seriously injured, and Rs 25,000 to those with minor injuries.

The bus, travelling from a remote village towards Udhampur, was negotiating a treacherous bend near Khagote village when the driver lost control, causing it to roll down the hillside.

More than eight people travelling in an autorickshaw were seriously injured when the bus rolled onto the road below.

Local residents were the first to reach the wreckage, pulling survivors from the mangled vehicle before police and emergency responders arrived to take over the rescue operation.

According to DIG Udhampur–Reasi Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, the bus was travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur when the driver lost control at a sharp curve, causing the vehicle to plunge from the upper road to a lower stretch of mountainous terrain.

A massive rescue operation was launched by the Indian Army, including personnel from the 87 Mountain Brigade, the 4/3 Gorkha Rifles, and the 841 Field Workshop recovery team, who were among the first responders at the scene.

Working alongside the local police, SDRF, and civil administration, Army personnel evacuated the injured to Sub-District Hospital, Ramnagar, and the Associated Hospital of GMC Udhampur for urgent medical treatment.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who represents the area in the Lok Sabha, remained in constant touch with the district administration of Udhampur. “All possible assistance is being provided to the injured,” he said. He also spoke to Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Minga Sherpa, immediately after being informed about the mishap.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed grief over the casualties, writing on X: “The tragic road accident in Udhampur is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. May God grant them strength. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. I have directed the district administration, police, SDRF and Health Department to provide every possible assistance to those affected.”

Further details are awaited.