14 killed as minibus plunges into gorge in Poonch

Jammu, Apr 17: At least 14 passengers were killed and 28 others injured, six of them critically, when a minibus skidded off a road and plunged into a 700-foot-deep gorge in Choon village of Mandi in the border district of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir this morning.

Official sources said the overcrowded minibus was on its way from Saygeyia to Mandi and was carrying about 45 passengers while it has approved seating capacity of only 28 passengers.

Sources quoting eyewitnesses said on hearing the bang and cries of the victims, people gathered at near the accident site and started a rescue operation. Later, they were joined by police and Army troops.

As many as 19 injured have been shifted to Mandi Hospital, while other nine including, six critically injured, to Poonch Hospital.

Condition of six was stated to be critical and they have been referred to Government Medical College Hospital Jammu.

Identification of those killed and injured was yet to be done.

UNI