12 killed, 30 injured in road accident in Indian-controlled Kashmir

At least 12 people were killed and 30 others injured Sunday after a minibus they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. The accident took place Sunday late afternoon at Battery Cheshma near Ramban district, about 160 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "In a tragic accident today 12 people were killed and 30 others injured when a minibus they had boarded skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge," said a police spokesman at police control room (PCR) Jammu. "Ten people died on spot, while as two were declared brought dead at Jammu hospital." Of the injured some are stated to be critical, the spokesman said. No sooner news about the accident spread, locals and policemen rushed to the spot to carry out rescue work. "The vehicle had fallen into more than 800 feet deep gorge," Muzaffar Ahmad, a local at Ramban told over phone. "Some bodies have been kept at hospital here and critically wounded have been airlifted to Jammu hospital and others referred to Srinagar hospital." According to police, the ill-fated vehicle with 42 people on board was on its way from Banihal to Ramban. The officials said cause of accident was being ascertained and preliminary investigation has revealed the minibus was overcrowded. Deadly road accidents are common in this mountainous region often caused by overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving. The region's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed grief over loss of lives in the accident. The local government announced a monetary relief of 1,617 U.S. dollars for each family that has lost member and 161 U.S. dollars for each injured in the accident.