A bus carrying Hindu pilgrims to a shrine in Indian-controlled Kashmir fell off a road bridge in a Himalayan gorge on Tuesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring 55, police said.
The bus was on its way to the town of Katra from Amritsar in the northern state of Punjab when it crashed into the gorge near the city of Jammu, authorities added.
Local police chief Chandan Kohli told reporters the vehicle was full, adding that the fatalities came from Bihar state, eastern India.
#JAMMU A bus from Amritsar to Katra fell into a canyon in Jammu. According to Jammu DC, 10 people died and 4 were seriously injured; 12 others also suffered injuries. pic.twitter.com/1marYl56a4
– Enewsjammu (@enewsjammu) May 30, 2023
Residents and authorities rushed to the scene of the crash and began rescue operations. The injured were hospitalized.
The shrine of Vaishno Devi in Katra is revered by Hindus and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year.
India has one of the highest road fatalities in the world, with hundreds of thousands killed and injured each year. Most accidents are attributed to reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and old vehicles.
Source: DN
