Many killed in Kashmir bus crash

A bus has veered off a mountain road in Indian-administered Kashmir killing at least 28 people, police say.

The 50-seater bus was travelling from the state's winter capital, Jammu, to the town of Kishtwar when it skidded off the road into the Chenab river.

Four people injured in the crash have been admitted to hospital. Rescuers are looking for survivors. It is not clear what caused the accident.

Road accidents are common in India, killing hundreds of people every year.

Most accident are blamed on reckless driving, old vehicles and poorly-maintained roads.

'Empty'

An eyewitness, businessman Tanveer Ahmad, told the BBC over the telephone that divers had had a look inside the submerged bus.

"They say it is empty. So this implies that many people have been washed away in the swift current of water," he said.

"No one can say at this moment how many are dead," said superintendent of police for Kishtwar, Mumtaz Ahmad.

Four people who fell off the bus before it plunged into the river were rescued. They have serious injuries and are being treated in hospital, Mr Ahmad said.

The reason for the accident is not known yet, but "it seems the driver lost control while negotiating a turn", police said.

Army soldiers and local divers are scanning the area, he said.