16 Amarnath pilgrims killed, 20 injured in accident

Jammu: At least 16 pilgrims on their way to the Amarnath shrine were killed and 20 others injured on Sunday when a bus carrying them plunged into a gorge near Banihal town in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district.

Police sources said the bus carrying the pilgrims from Jammu to the hill shrine spun out of the driver's control at Nachnala and rolled into the gorge.

"Sixteen pilgrims have died," a police officer told IANS. "Rescue operations are on." Police said the accident occurred at 1.45 p.m.

The seriously injured pilgrims were flown by Army helicopters to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu.