SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 people were killed and 16 others injured Friday after a mini-bus carrying them skidded off a mountainous road and fell into gorge in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The accident took place near Thakrie in Kishtwar district, 217 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Today in the morning at about 9:10 local time a mini-bus on its way from Keshwan to Kishtwar rolled down into gorge at Thakrie," a police spokesman said. "In the accident 17 passengers died, while as 16 were injured."
Angrez Singh Rana, deputy commissioner, Kishtwar told Xinhua that the injured were being provided treatment at government-run hospitals.
"Of the injured 11 were airlifted to Jammu hospital for specialized treatment and remaining ones are admitted in Kishtwar," Rana said.
According to officials, the vehicle was overcrowded at the time of mishap.
Reports said soon after the news about accident spread, locals as well as police officials rushed to the spot to carry out rescue work.
According to police, the mini-bus was carrying local passengers.
Police officials have registered a case and ordered investigations to ascertain the reason behind the deadly accident.
Deadly road accidents are common in India often caused due to overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving.
Meanwhile, region's Governor Satya Pal Malik has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragic road accident and announced an assistance of 6,955 U.S. dollars to each family that lost member in the incident.
"Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families. He has wished speedy recovery to those injured in this accident," a government spokesman said. "Governor has announced INR 500,000 (6,955 USD) as ex-gratia relief for the next of the kin of the deceased and INR 50,000 (695 USD) to each of the injured."
Officials say on an average over 400 deaths take place every day in India due to road accidents.
On Tuesday in a major accident in southern Indian state of Telangana 57 people were killed when a bus carrying over 80 people skidded off the mountainous road and fell into a gorge.
