Bus plunges into deep gorge in India, at least 30 people dead

According to AFP news agency, the accident occurred on a remote road in the Doda area, about 200km southeast of the capital Srinagar of the Kashmir and Jammu region (India).

The cause was determined to be the driver's carelessness when he hit the guardrail, causing the bus to plunge into a 92m deep abyss.

At least 30 people were killed and 25 others injured in the accident, local police said. They fear the death toll could rise as many of the injured are serious.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed "grief" over the accident and sent condolences to the families of the victims.

Mr Modi also said the government would pay compensation of more than $2,400 to the relatives of those killed and $600 to those injured.

Accidents are common on India's vast but poorly maintained road network.

According to a 2021 World Bank report, the country accounts for 11% of global road accident deaths, despite owning only 1% of the world's vehicles.

The report also estimates that there are 150,000 deaths in car accidents in India every year, or one every four minutes, costing the Indian economy about $75 billion a year.

In May, at least 21 people were killed when a bus plunged off a bridge in India after the driver fell asleep. In July, a bus crashed and burst into flames on a highway in western India, killing 25 people and injuring eight others.