JAMMU: In a heartbreaking accident, a school bus carrying staff members and children from Lamdon School skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge near Durbuk, approximately 100 kilometers from Leh in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The incident occurred on Thursday, resulting in seven fatalities and injuries to 20 others.

According to media reports, the bus was en route to a marriage function when it veered off the road and plunged into the gorge at around 11 a.m. Six people died at the scene, while one succumbed to their injuries later at the hospital. The injured were initially taken to nearby health facilities, where six were declared dead on arrival and another injured person later passed away.

The rescue operation was promptly launched by the Police, Army, and local residents. Indian Army and Air Force helicopters conducted 14 sorties to airlift the victims to Leh for medical treatment. The Army reported that its personnel responded swiftly, transporting the injured to the Military Hospital and Primary Health Centre at Tangste before transferring them to Sonam Norbu Memorial (SNM) Hospital and Army Hospital in Leh. One severely injured individual was retained at the Military Hospital for further treatment.

The District Magistrate of Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve, confirmed the accident and expressed condolences. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, with possibilities of mechanical fault or driver error being considered.