Deadly Bus Accident on Ramnagar-Udhampur Highway
At least 15 people lost their lives and several others were injured after a passenger bus overturned on the Ramnagar-Udhampur highway near Kagort village in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. The tragic accident has triggered a large-scale rescue operation, with local authorities and emergency responders rushing to the spot to assist the victims.
According to initial reports, the bus was travelling from a remote village to Udhampur when the driver reportedly lost control near Kagort village in the Ramnagar area. The vehicle skidded off the road and overturned, causing severe casualties. Officials fear the death toll may rise further as rescue efforts continue and several passengers remain critically injured.
Overspeeding Suspected as Cause of Crash
Local residents who were among the first to respond said the bus appeared to be overspeeding before the accident. Eyewitnesses claimed that the driver failed to maintain control on the hilly stretch, causing the vehicle to overturn violently.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the crash, but preliminary accounts suggest rash driving may have played a major role. Officials are expected to launch a formal investigation once rescue operations are completed.
Emergency Teams Rushed to the Spot
Senior administrative officials reached the accident site soon after the incident. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) took immediate cognisance of the accident and directed local authorities to ensure urgent medical assistance for the injured passengers.
Medical teams at Government Medical College (GMC), Udhampur, were placed on alert to receive the injured. Ambulances were deployed to shift victims from the accident site to nearby hospitals, while emergency teams continued rescue efforts amid difficult terrain.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh Reviews Rescue Operations
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed grief over the incident and said he was personally monitoring the situation. The minister spoke to Udhampur District Commissioner Minga Sherpa and reviewed the rescue arrangements.
“The rescue operation has been immediately undertaken. Heavy casualties are expected,” Singh said in a post on X. “All possible assistance is being provided. The injured will be shifted for medical aid. Arrangements being made to airlift the seriously injured.”
His statement indicates the seriousness of the accident, with authorities making emergency arrangements for critically injured victims.
Another Road Mishap in Jammu Region
This accident comes just a day after another road mishap in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, where a passenger vehicle overturned after skidding off the road, injuring at least 18 people.
Officials said the Rajouri accident occurred on the Darhal-Rajouri road when the driver of a tempo traveller lost control. Four passengers were critically injured and later shifted to GMC Rajouri for treatment.
The back-to-back accidents have once again raised serious concerns over road safety in the hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir, where dangerous road conditions and overspeeding continue to claim lives.
How many people died in the Udhampur bus accident?
At least 15 people were killed after a passenger bus overturned on the Ramnagar-Udhampur highway near Kagort village in Jammu and Kashmir.
What caused the bus accident in Udhampur?
Initial reports suggest the driver lost control of the bus, and locals suspect overspeeding caused the vehicle to overturn.
Were rescue operations started immediately?
Yes, rescue teams and senior officials rushed to the accident site immediately, while injured passengers were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
What did Union Minister Jitendra Singh say about the accident?
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said rescue operations began immediately and that arrangements were being made to airlift seriously injured passengers.
