21 Dead, 61 Injured As Bus Rolls Down Gorge In J&K's Udhampur; Prez, PM Offer Condolences

Udhampur: In a major road mishap in the mountainous Jammu and Kashmir region, at least 21 people were killed, and 61 others sustained injuries after a passenger bus rolled down into a gorge in Udhampur district on Monday.

The mishap happened when the bus was negotiating a blind curve near Kagort village in the Ram Nagar area around 10 am. It was on its way to Udhampur town when the accident took place.

Locals were the first to reach the spot and began rescue efforts, pulling out the injured from the wreckage. Police and other emergency responders soon joined the operation to evacuate the victims and clear the site.

Visuals from the spot showed the bus totally wrecked from the impact, explaining the high death toll, even as officials said many of those injured were in a critical condition.

Wrecked remains of a passenger bus after it rolled down a hill, in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district, Monday, April 20, 2026. (PTI)

Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who is from Jammu and whose office has been tracking the incident, said in his latest post on X that 21 people had been killed and 61 injured in the mishap.

"Further Update Accident Ramnagar- Udhampur: 21 casualties so far and 61 injured. Injured have been shifted to Udhampur Hospital while the one more seriously injured is being airlifted to Government Medical College, Jammu. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families. All possible assistance is being provided. My office is in constant touch," the minister said.

Earlier in the morning, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Udhampur, Prem Singh Chib, had said that 33 people were injured in the accident, apart from the casualties.

"This is very sad news for our Udhampur district. This bus was travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur. Students, employees, and others were on board," Chib said.

"Furthermore, the Division Commissioner and the DC have also ordered that if a chopper is needed, it will be provided immediately so that we can provide the best possible treatment to those injured and save their lives," the ADC added.

Wrecked remains of a passenger bus after it rolled down a hill, in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district, Monday, April 20, 2026. (PTI)

President Droupadi Murmu condoled the loss of lives in the bus accident and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

"I am deeply saddened to learn about the deaths of several people in the bus accident that occurred in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured," Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered condolences to the families of the deceased and announced ex gratia relief from PM National Relief Fund.

"Pained to hear about the loss of lives due to a bus accident in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the tragic mishap. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," read a PMO post on X.

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condoled the loss of lives in the road accident and assured all possible assistance to the families of the deceased.

In a post on X, the Lt Governor said, “Tragic road accident in Udhampur is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to bereaved families. May God grant them strength. Praying for a speedy recovery of the injured.”

Sinha said he directed the district administration, police, the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and health department to provide every possible assistance to those affected.

The chief minister extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

In a post on X, Abdullah said, "The government stands firmly with the victims and their families in this hour of grief, and that all necessary assistance is being extended."

Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi also expressed grief over the incident.

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