Kashmir: 11 killed, 48 injured as bus plunges into stream

Srinagar:  Eleven people were killed and 48 injured when a bus in which they were travelling plunged into a stream in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday.

The bus, heading towards tourist resort Pahalgam from Bijbehara, skidded off the road and rolled down into the stream at Langanbal, 80 km from capital Srinagar, officials said.

Four people died instantly and seven in hospitals, they said adding the fatalities included two children, aged between 10 and 12 years, a woman and a policeman.

The injured were undergoing treatment in various hospitals, the officials said.

Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) announced ex-gratia of Rs 25,000 to each bereaved family, Rs 10,000 each to the seriously hurt and Rs 5,000 each to the injured.

He also announced financial relief of Rs 10,000 each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 5,000 each to the injured from Red Cross funds.

Anantnag Deputy Commissioner too announced relief of Rs 10,000 each to the family of the dead and Rs 5,000 each to the injured.