5 killed as vehicle falls into gorge in Rajouri

Five people lost their lives when an overloaded private vehicle fell into a gorge in Jammu & Kashmir's Rajouri district. The accident took place near Thanamandi area in the district.

Jammu:Five persons were killed on Sunday when an 'overloaded' private vehicle skidded off a road and fell into a deep gorge in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, an official said.

The tempo traveller, reportedly ferrying 35 people, was on the way to Sharda Sharief from Poonch when the accident took place in Thanamandi area, Rajouri District Development Commissioner Aijaz Asad told the media.

Quoting initial information, he said five persons were confirmed dead while a rescue operation was on.

A police official said the rescue operation was launched immediately after the vehicle rolled down the gorge around 1.30 pm.

"The death toll is likely to increase as the condition of many injured persons was stated to be critical," he said.