JK: Bus mishap kills 20 in Doda district

At least 20 persons were killed and 26 others wounded in a tragic road accident in the hilly Doda district of Jammu region on Monday afternoon.

A senior state government officer said the ill-fated bus on its way from Doda to Jammu rolled down into a gorge after the driver lost control of the bus near Assar village on Monday afternoon.

"We have so far recovered 20 bodies and rescued 26 injured passengers. Condition of 21 is critical," deputy commissioner Doda, Sharief-ud-Din told rediff.com.

"The critically injured passengers have been airlifted to Jammu for specialized treatment," he said.

Road accidents are registering an upward trend in the hilly Doda and Kishtwar districts of the state because of bad roads, rash driving and overloading.