A BUS carrying at least 36 people tumbled into a deep gorge in Indian-controlled Kashmir today, killing 11 and injuring 29 others, officials said.

The accident occurred near Sawjian, a village in Jammu’s Poonch district.

Rescue efforts by the army, police and local villagers continued as the Morning Star went to print.

Nine people were killed on the spot and two others died later in a hospital.

Officials said the 29 injured people were in critical condition, including six who were airlifted to a hospital in Jammu.

The bus, which was carrying several students, plunged about 75 metres down the steep gorge.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced in a tweet that compensation of 500,000 rupees (about £5,450) would be given to victims’ families.

Last month, a bus carrying paramilitary soldiers in the Kashmir region skidded off a mountainous road and rolled down into a river, killing six people and injuring dozens.

Hundreds of thousands of people are killed or injured annually on India’s roads.

Most accidents are blamed on reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and ageing vehicles.