SRINAGAR, India — At least 30 individuals had been killed and practically two dozen injured when a passenger bus slid off a Himalayan freeway and rolled down a steep slope onto one other highway in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday, officers mentioned.

The 42-seater bus was on the way in which to southern Jammu metropolis from Kishtwar city when it veered off the highway and fell down about 660 ft (200 meters) on an older highway within the mountainous area, mentioned Harvinder Singh, a civil administrator.

Residents and authorities rushed to the scene and a rescue operation was launched.

Singh mentioned the injured had been taken to close by well being services. At least 10 in vital situation had been transported to hospital in Jammu.

The precise reason behind the crash was not instantly identified.

India has a number of the highest highway loss of life charges on this planet, with tons of of hundreds of individuals killed and injured yearly. Most crashes are blamed on reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and getting old automobiles.

Last yr, a century-old cable suspension bridge collapsed right into a river within the western Indian state of Gujarat, sending tons of plunging into the water and killing no less than 132 in one of many worst accidents within the nation previously decade.