The accident took place in southern Poonch district, a police spokesman said, adding that 17 injured passengers were in a critical condition. -AFP File Photo

SRINAGAR: At least 18 people were killed and over a dozen more injured Saturday when an overcrowded minibus plunged into a gorge in Indian-administered Kashmir, police said.

The accident took place in southern Poonch district, a police spokesman said, adding that 17 injured passengers were in a critical condition.

The speeding bus rolled down into a gorge while negotiating a sharp curve in the mountains of Poonch, police said.

“Seriously injured people have been shifted to (winter capital) Jammu,” the spokesman said.

Bus accidents are common in the Himalayan region because of a combination of bad roads, overcrowding and poor vehicle maintenance.

Opinion

Editorial

Large projects again?
Updated 03 Jun, 2024

Large projects again?

Government must focus on debt sustainability by curtailing its spending and mobilising more resources.
Local power
03 Jun, 2024

Local power

A SIGNIFICANT policy paper was recently debated at an HRCP gathering, calling for the constitutional protection of...
Child-friendly courts
03 Jun, 2024

Child-friendly courts

IN a country where the child rights debate has been a belated one, it is heartening to note that a recent Supreme...
Dutch courage
Updated 02 Jun, 2024

Dutch courage

ECP has been supported wholeheartedly in implementing twisted interpretations of democratic process by some willing collaborators in the legislature.
New World cricket
02 Jun, 2024

New World cricket

HAVING finished as semi-finalists and runners-up in the last two editions of the T20 World Cup in familiar ...
Dead on arrival?
02 Jun, 2024

Dead on arrival?

Whatever the motivations for Gaza peace plan, it is difficult to see the scheme succeeding.