At least 16 persons were killed and seven others were injured when a mini-bus rolled down into a deep gorge Sunday on the Leh-Manali road.

According to an official statement, the bus was carrying a cultural troupe from Leh in cold desert region of Ladakh to the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh for a cultural exchange.State governor, N N Vohra, has expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives in the road accident on Leh-Keylong road.

In a message, the governor expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of the injured in this accident.

Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora has also expressed deep shock and grief over the tragic bus accident.

Jora said the bus carrying cultural troupe of Ladakh region was on way to Keylong to participate in a cultural event, when it met with an accident, in which 16 persons are reported to have died and 7 were injured. The injured were hospitalised.

In a message, Jora expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families.