Bus carrying 26 army personnel falls into Shyok river, 7 killed

The incident happened at 9 am around 25km from Thoise. The vehicle fell to a depth of around 50-60 feet, resulting in injuries to all occupants.

At least seven army personnel were killed after the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell in the Shyok river in the Turtuk sector of Ladakh.

There were 26 soldiers in the vehicle, which was moving from the Transit Camp in Partapur to a forward location in Sub Sector Hanif. 

The incident happened at 9 am around 25km from Thoise. The vehicle fell to a depth of around 50-60 feet, resulting in injuries to all occupants. 

The injured were evacuated to the 403 Field Hospital at Partapur and surgical teams from Leh have moved to Partapur. "There are grievous injuries to others as well," an official said.

An Army statement said that dedicated efforts were being made to ensure that the best medical care is provided to the injured, including requisition of air effort from the Air Force to shift the more serious casualties to Western Command. At least 19 seriously injured soldiers have been flown down to the Command Hospital in Panchkula. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish at the loss of lives in the tragedy.

"Anguished by the bus accident in Ladakh in which we have lost our brave army personnel. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope that those who are injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being given to the affected," Prime Minister Modi said in a Twitter post.