Kishtwar: As many as 15 people lost their lives and 19 suffered from serious injuries after a passenger vehicle fell down into a deep gorge at Thakrie area of Kishtwar.

District Magistrate Kishtwar Angrez Singh Rana told MyNation that a mini-bus bearing registration number JK17-0663 lost its control and fell 100 m down into river Chenab at Tahtgan area near Kudiyapul of Kishtwar district.

"Fifteen people died on the spot whereas as 19 others were injured and are being shifted to hospital," he added.

Among the 19 injured, the condition of the 10 people is stated to be very serious, he said.

Jammu district administration has also pressed helicopters into service while senior officials including the deputy commissioner and SSP are on the spot and are supervising the operation.

Relief and rescue operations have been called off from the accident spot as all passengers have been evacuated from the deep gorge.