Jammu: At least 17 individuals sustained injuries after a passenger bus veered off a mountain road and tumbled into a deep gorge in an isolated sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.

The medical condition of eight injured passengers remains critical, prompting their transfer from the Public Health Centre (PHC) in Basantgarh to Udhampur District Hospital for specialised medical care, according to officials.

The vehicle was en route from Pechound to Ramnagar when the crash transpired at Gulli Gala at approximately 8:00 a.m., officials stated.

The impact reduced the passenger bus to a twisted heap of metal.

Authorities noted that local civilian volunteers promptly initiated search and rescue operations immediately after the plunge, transporting the injured commuters to the Basantgarh health facility.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh communicated with Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Ananth Dwivedi upon being alerted to the incident. Singh confirmed that comprehensive emergency aid was being dispatched and affirmed that his office maintains continuous coordination with local district authorities.

PTI