A private passenger bus travelling from Panchound to Ramnagar plunged nearly 100 feet into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Basantgarh area on Wednesday morning
Two people were killed and around 15 others injured after a passenger bus fell into a nearly 100-foot-deep gorge in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, on October 21, 2026. Rescue teams rushed to the accident site, while injured passengers were shifted to hospitals for treatment.
Udhampur: At least two people were killed and around 15 others injured after a private passenger bus plunged into a nearly 100-foot-deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Wednesday morning.
The accident occurred around 8 am near Gulli Gala in Basantgarh tehsil when the bus, travelling from Panchound towards Ramnagar, reportedly skidded off the road and fell into the gorge.
According to preliminary information from officials, the vehicle sustained extensive damage following the fall. The exact circumstances that led to the accident have not yet been established.
Udhampur Bus Accident Triggers Rescue Operation
Following the accident, emergency response teams and local authorities reached the location and launched rescue operations.
Senior officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), visited the accident site to assess the situation and coordinate assistance.
The injured passengers were shifted to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Basantgarh and the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) in Ramnagar for medical treatment.
Hospital sources indicated that some injured passengers were in critical condition. Further details regarding their identities and medical conditions were not immediately available.
Second Udhampur Road Accident Reported Within a Week
Wednesday's incident comes less than a week after another passenger vehicle accident in Udhampur district.
On October 15, a minibus reportedly skidded off the road and fell into a ditch near Janu, leaving 18 people injured. No deaths were reported in that incident.
The two accidents have brought renewed attention to road conditions and passenger safety in the district's hilly areas.
MLA Sunil Bhardwaj Calls for Road Improvements
Senior BJP leader and MLA Sunil Bhardwaj visited the hospital to enquire about the condition of the injured passengers.
During his visit, Bhardwaj expressed concern over the condition of the road where the accident occurred and emphasised the need for improvements to ensure safer travel.
He also called for strengthening healthcare facilities in the constituency to provide timely medical assistance during emergencies, particularly in remote areas.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh Reviews Udhampur Accident Response
Union Minister Jitendra Singh contacted Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Ananth Dwivedi after receiving information about the accident.
Singh said the administration was providing the necessary assistance to those affected and that his office remained in contact with district officials.
Authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident. Further information about the victims and the condition of injured passengers is awaited.
