At least 22 dead and 69 injured after packed bus plummets into gorge in horror crash in India

AT LEAST 22 people have died and 69 are injured after a bus rolled off the side of a mountain into a gorge in India.

Many were rushed to hospital following a massive rescue operation launched by cops and volunteers and later aided by the army.

EPA

People gather at the scene of the bus crash[/caption]

The bus is understood to have been carrying 91 passengers and plummeted into a deep gorge in Akhnoor area in Jammu district on Thursday afternoon.

Police and volunteers launched a major rescue operation at the scene of the accident near Chungi Morh on Jammu-Poonch highway.

Army personnel soon joined the rescue operation and moved the those with injuries to hospital.

Some were taken to a hospital in Akhnoor while others with critical injuries were transported to GMC Jammu.

BMO Akhnoor Dr Mohammad Salim Khan said 22 people died and 69 people were injured, adding: “The injured are under treatment.”

Indian politician Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the crash as “heart-rending”.

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