20 passengers of a mini-bus are feared dead in a road accident in the hilly Doda district of Jammu region. A senior state government officer said the mini-bus which was on its way from Premnagar to Thathri in Doda district carrying 24 passengers, rolled down into the fast flowing Chenab river on Sunday morning.
"Four persons including a 13-year old girl were thrown out of the bus and miraculously escaped with minor injuries," Doda deputy commissioner, Sharief-ud-Din told rediff.com. He said the bus fell nearly 300 feet into the river.
"We have not been able to locate the wreckage of the bus as the water current at the spot is strong and water level high." A massive rescue and relief operation is in progress at the spot and divers have been kept ready to locate the bodies, according to the deputy commissioner. Two bus accidents in the twin hilly Doda and Kishtwar district have claimed over 60 lives this year.
Road accidents in the districts are common in view of the hilly terrain, road conditions, rash driving and over-loading of the passenger vehicles.
