Jammu, May 4 (Inditop) At least 30 people, including 12 women, were killed when the bus they were travelling in fell into the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir’s hilly Kishtwar district Monday morning, police said.
Army was called for the rescue operation which “has concluded and there is no hope of any survivor”, said a police officer.
The mini bus, with a capacity of 20 but carrying over 35 passengers, fell almost 500 feet down a gorge into the river at about 9 a.m. near Bandarkot village, about 240 km from here, according to police.
Police said 20 people died on the spot. Another five succumbed while being taken to hospital. Besides, at least five bodies have been fished out from the river.
Five seriously injured victims were airlifted to Jammu.
Police said the driver of the bus apparently failed to negotiate a sharp curve on a narrow stretch of hilly terrain.
The bus, carrying mostly government employees, was on its way from Kishtwar to Chhatroo.
Accidents on mountainous roads in the Jammu region are common because of the hilly terrain and bad road conditions.
Team DainikDisha