7 dead, 21 injured as school bus plunges into gorge in Leh

Kargil, Aug 22: At least seven people died and 21 others sustained injuries, some of them critically when a school bus skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge near the Durbak area in the Leh district of Ladakh on Thursday.

The ill-fated school bus carrying staff and three children was on its way when the driver lost control over the wheel while initiating a curve at Durbak and fell into a deep gorge at Durbak, resulting in the on-the-spot death of six persons and injuries to 22 persons.

Soon after the accident, the Police, Army, and locals launched a major rescue operation and shifted the injured to a nearby health facility where from they were shifted to Leh, officials said.

Deputy Commissioner Leh Santosh Sukhadev said that the accident occurred when a bus of School Lamdon carrying around 25 staff members including the driver besides three children met with an accident at Durbak.

He said that the bus carrying the staff had gone to attend a marriage function of one of the staffers at Durbak.

“Six people died on the spot and one among the seriously injured persons succumbed while arriving at the hospital,” the DC Leh said.

He said that the other injured had been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Sukhdev said three helicopters were pressed into service, two from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and one from the Army, to shift the injured to hospitals for treatment.

The Police have registered a case to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brig (Retd) B D Mishra expressed grief over the accident and directed the administration to provide all possible assistance to the injured.

"I am deeply saddened and grieved to hear about the loss of seven lives of our dear Ladakhi citizens and the injury to 21 others in a tragic accident near Durbuk. My deep condolences go to the bereaved families. I wish a speedy recovery of all the injured,” he said. “I direct the Ladakh administration to render all possible help to the affected people at the earliest and immediately arrange helicopter evacuation of those seriously injured for specialised treatment."

Chief Executive Councillor Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LADHC) Kargil, Muhammad Jaffar Akhoon also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.

“I am deeply saddened by the excruciating news of the tragic accident near Durbuk, Leh. I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident. Hope for the swift and complete recovery of the injured. The role of the Army, Police, and civil administration teams has remained exemplary. They promptly responded and provided immediate assistance. May the departed souls rest in peace, and may their loved ones find strength during this difficult time,” he said.

Advisor to LG Ladakh, Pawan Kotwal, Member of Parliament Ladakh, Muhammad Haneefa Jan, and prominent social and political activist Sajad Hussain Kargil also expressed grief over the accident.