At least 20 killed as bus falls into river in Pakistani Kashmir

At least 20 people were killed Thursday after a passenger bus fell into river in northeast Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, said local police.

According to reports, the ill-fated bus coming from Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, plunged into the Jhelum River near Ghari Duppata area after driving some 25 kilometers away.

Only 12 of at least 50 passengers onboard have been rescued so far, said Muhammad Imtiaz, the Deputy Commissioner of Muzaffarabad. Many travelers are feared to be either dead or have sustained serious injuries.

Due to heavy rain, the driver lost control of the bus before it went into the river, Imtiaz said.

Rescue workers and ambulances have been sent from Muzaffarabad to provide first aid to the injured. Eye-witnesses said that the bus was jam packed and overloaded as passengers were ridding on the roof as well.

Source: Xinhua