Bus accident leaves at least 30 dead and dozens injured in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India — A passenger bus slid off a Himalayan freeway killing at least 37 folks and injuring 18 others after rolling down a steep slope onto any other highway in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday, officers mentioned.

The 42-seater bus used to be on how one can southern Jammu town from Kishtwar the town when it veered off the street and fell down about 660 ft (200 meters) on an older highway in the mountainous area, mentioned Harvinder Singh, a civil administrator.

Residents and government rushed to the scene and a rescue operation used to be introduced.

Singh mentioned the injured have been taken to within sight well being amenities whilst at least 4 in vital situation have been transported to medical institution in Jammu.

The actual reason for the crash used to be no longer right away identified however police officer Sunil Gupta mentioned the bus used to be overcrowded and dashing. He mentioned a proper investigation has been ordered.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to as the accident “distressing,” on X, previously referred to as Twitter, and introduced condolences to the sufferers’ households. He additionally introduced monetary assist of Rs. 2 lakh (about $2400) to every of the sufferers’ households and Rs. 50,000 (about $600) for every of the injured.

India has one of the most best highway demise charges in the sector, with loads of hundreds of folks killed and injured every year. Most crashes are blamed on reckless using, poorly maintained roads and ageing automobiles.

Last yr, a century-old cable suspension bridge collapsed right into a river in the western Indian state of Gujarat, sending loads plunging into the water and killing at least 132 in one of the most worst injuries in the rustic in the previous decade.