15 killed in Ramban bus accident in J

Jammu, Apr 20 (UNI) At least 15 people were feared dead and, 30 injured, 20 of them critically, when a bus skidded off the road on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said here today.

''The bus, which was on its way from Jammu to Banihal, was carrying 45 passengers. The driver lost control over the bus near Anokhi Fall famous as 'Khooni Nallah' near Ramban and of hit the barricade, skidded off the road and fell into a 500 metre-deep-gorge around 1800 hrs,'' official sources told UNI.

However, on receiving the information, police parties, Army, district administration and locals rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.

''According to the eye-witnesses, over 15 passengers are feared dead out of which ten bodies have been taken out while 20 critically injured have been airlifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu,'' sources said.

The rescue operation was in progress till the last reports came in.

UNI VBH SP KD RK2008