At least 16 killed and 20 hurt as bus packed with schoolkids plunges 1,000ft down a steep gorge

 

At least 11 people were killed and 25 injured after a minibus loaded with school children plunged into a gorge in northern India.

The bus was reportedly packed beyond its capacity when it veered off the road and plunged into a deep ravine on Wednesday morning.

A police officer warned that the death toll was likely to rise because a number of passengers were in critical condition.

Most of the passengers were students at a nearby public school.

Among the dead were five-year-old and 14-year-old boys, two teenage girls and a woman.

The horror accident occurred around eight o'clock.

It is 30 am in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir state in northern India.

Police say the minibus was on its way to Poonch from the Gali Maidan area when it veered off the road and plunged into a 100-foot-deep lane.

The driver reportedly lost control of the bus before it rolled several hundred meters down a valley in the Himalayan foothills.

"The death toll is likely to rise in light of the serious injuries to nine passengers," a police officer said.

A major rescue operation began after the accident, involving the police, army and local residents.

The injured were taken to Poonch District Hospital.

Deputy Governor of India Manoj Sinha expressed his grief over the tragic loss of life.

"Saddened by the loss of life due to a traffic accident in Sogian Punch," he wrote on Twitter. "My condolences to the families of the victims. I hope the injured recover soon."

He added that compensation of 5,000 lakhs (£432,000) will be given to the relatives of the deceased.

India's President Rashtrapati Bhavan also spoke after the tragedy.