Udhampur, April 20, 2026 : In a heartbreaking incident in Jammu and Kashmir, a passenger bus plunged down a steep hillside in the Ramnagar area of Udhampur district on Monday morning, leaving 21 people dead and 29 others injured.
The bus, carrying around 50 passengers—mostly daily wage workers commuting from Ramnagar to Udhampur—lost control while navigating a blind curve near Kagort village around 10 AM. It rolled down nearly 100 metres, crushing an auto-rickshaw before landing upside down on the road below. While those in the auto-rickshaw were injured, they survived the crash.
The impact was devastating. The vehicle was reduced to a mangled heap of metal, with its top portion almost completely torn off, making rescue efforts extremely difficult.
🚑 Swift Rescue Amid Chaos
An Army convoy passing through the hilly stretch immediately sprang into action, leading rescue operations alongside local residents, police teams, and civil authorities. Survivors were pulled from the wreckage with great difficulty.
Officials reported that:
- 15 victims died on the spot
- Several others succumbed later in hospitals, including at Udhampur District Hospital
- The death toll eventually rose to 21
A hydraulic crane was later used to straighten the completely wrecked vehicle.
🗣️ Leaders Express Grief, Announce Support
- Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and announced:
- ₹2 lakh ex gratia for families of the deceased
- ₹50,000 for the injured
- Droupadi Murmu condoled the loss of lives
- Manoj Sinha and Omar Abdullah assured full government support, directing immediate relief and medical assistance
- Leaders across parties, including Mehbooba Mufti, also expressed grief and solidarity
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that arrangements were being made to airlift critically injured victims.
⚠️ A Grim Reminder
This tragedy highlights the persistent dangers of hilly terrain driving, especially on narrow roads with blind curves. The combination of steep slopes and loss of control proved fatal in this case.
