14 Killed in Matador Crash in Jammu

In a road mishap, at least 14 people were killed when a matador veered off a mountain road and fell into a gorge in Kishtwar district, 230 kms from Jammu, says police.

According to the police, fourteen bodies have been recovered so far and search is on for the other passengers. Five passengers are seriously wounded and the toll may rise.

The vehicle fell 500ft (152m) down the mountain into the Chenab river. The capacity of the matador was 20 people but it was carrying as many as 30 passengers.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the driver of the vehicle was not able to negotiate a deep curve on the narrow mountain road as another vehicle approached from the opposite direction,” police said.

Police said most of the passengers were government employees who were returning to work after the weekend.