At least 20 people died and 16 were injured after a bus travelling from Banihal to Ramban fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir, Greater Kashmir reported. The bus was reportedly overcrowded.

Local volunteers, police, paramilitary and Army personnel collaborated in the rescue operation.

Union Minister of State for Development of the North Eastern Region, Jitendra Singh, said the injured are being airlifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu for treatment. Singh said he had offered assistance to Ramban Deputy Commissioner Showkat Aijaz Bhat.

As many as 11 people have been airlifted to Jammu, Bhat said.

This is the latest in a series of recent road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir. On September 14, at least 17 people were killed and 16 others injured when a minibus skidded off the road and landed in the Chenab river in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.

As many as 13 people died when a vehicle they were travelling in rolled down the Chenab river near Kwar Dool area in Kishtwar district on August 21. A day before that, seven people died and 12 wounded when two vehicles were hit by boulders.