SRINAGAR, India — A devastating transportation accident claimed 21 lives Monday when a passenger bus plummeted off a mountainous highway in Indian-controlled Kashmir, according to local authorities.
The vehicle, designed to hold 42 passengers but carrying more than 60 people, was traveling from Ramnagar town toward Udhampur city when disaster struck. Civil administrator Prem Singh reported that the bus collided with an auto-rickshaw while navigating a sharp turn in the treacherous mountain terrain.
Following the collision, the bus careened off the highway and tumbled approximately 100 feet down a rocky embankment before landing on a roadway below, Singh explained. The occupants of the three-wheeled vehicle were also hurt in the incident.
Emergency responders and local residents quickly mobilized to the crash site to begin rescue efforts. Singh confirmed that 19 victims perished immediately at the scene, while two additional passengers succumbed to their injuries after being transported to medical facilities. Approximately 45 injured survivors are receiving treatment at multiple healthcare facilities, with several listed in critical condition.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement expressing his condolences regarding the tragedy and pledged financial assistance for the families of those killed.
The accident highlights India’s ongoing struggle with traffic safety, as the nation records among the world’s highest rates of roadway fatalities. Annual statistics show hundreds of thousands of people are killed or injured in crashes typically attributed to dangerous driving practices, inadequate road maintenance, and deteriorating vehicle conditions.
