Srinagar/Udhampur: At least 15 people lost their lives and more than 20 others sustained injuries after a passenger bus veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Udhampur on Monday, officials said.
Bus Skids Off Road Near Kanote Village
The accident took place near Kanote Village when the bus, en route from Ramnagar to Udhampur, reportedly lost control and fell into a steep gorge along a mountainous stretch.
#WATCH | At least 16 people were killed after a bus rolled downhill near Kanote village on the Ramnagar-Udhampur route, with rescue and relief operations underway.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and announced ex gratia assistance.
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— PB-SHABD (@PBSHABD) April 20, 2026
Sharp Turn Turns Fatal
Preliminary reports indicate that the driver lost control while negotiating a sharp curve on the hilly road. The vehicle tumbled nearly 100 feet down a rocky slope before crashing onto a lower road, causing massive casualties.
Rescue Efforts in Full Swing
Local administration, police teams, and rescue personnel rushed to the site and launched a swift rescue operation. The injured were evacuated and shifted to nearby hospitals, where several are said to be in critical condition.
Jammu: Bus falls into gorge in Udhampur’s Ramnagar area; several casualties feared. Rescue underway, injured shifted to hospitals.#Udhampur #Accident pic.twitter.com/35OtaqZCoz
— Gulistan News (@GulistanNewsTV) April 20, 2026
Leadership Reacts with Grief and Support
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed authorities—including district officials, police, SDRF, and health services—to ensure immediate relief and medical care.
“Tragic road accident in Udhampur is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences, stating he was deeply pained by the loss of lives. He announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Pained to hear about the loss of lives due to a bus accident in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 20, 2026
Probe Likely
Authorities are expected to initiate a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident, with early indications pointing to difficult terrain and sharp road bends as contributing factors.
The incident once again highlights the risks associated with hilly routes in the region, where road safety remains a persistent concern.
