Ramban bus overturn kills 1, injures 11 on Gool-Sangaldan road
Synopsis
A passenger bus overturned on the Gool-Sangaldan road in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, on 19 May, killing one and injuring 11 — the latest in a string of fatal road accidents hitting J&K's hilly districts, where bad roads, speeding, and unlicensed driving continue to claim lives despite stepped-up enforcement.
Key Takeaways
One person was killed and 11 others injured after a bus overturned on the Gool-Sangaldan road , Ramban district , on 19 May 2025 .
Bus registration number JK02CU-7482 reportedly lost control before overturning on the roadside.
Some of the injured are reported to be in serious condition ; all were shifted to nearby medical facilities.
On 16 May , a tourist couple from Gujarat — Bawin Bhavsar and Awni Bhavsar — were killed in a separate road accident near Pahalgam .
Hilly J&K districts including Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, and Doda face frequent accidents linked to bad roads, speeding, and unlicensed driving.
Traffic authorities have deployed special squads and are conducting road safety advisory sessions for drivers.
One person was killed and 11 others were injured on Tuesday, 19 May after a passenger bus overturned on the Gool-Sangaldan road near the Sangaldan area of Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir. The accident adds to a troubling pattern of road fatalities in the hilly union territory.
What Happened
According to officials, bus bearing registration number JK02CU-7482 reportedly lost control and overturned on the roadside. Police confirmed the incident and said rescue and relief operations were launched swiftly by police personnel, local residents, and emergency response teams. All injured persons were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Officials confirmed that one passenger died in the accident, while several others sustained injuries — some of them described as serious.
Rescue and Response
Emergency teams reached the site promptly following the incident. The injured were transported to the nearest medical facilities. Police have taken cognisance of the accident and initiated proceedings.
A Recurring Crisis on J&K's Mountain Roads
This is the latest in a series of road accidents to hit Jammu and Kashmir's hilly districts. On 16 May, a tourist couple from Gujarat was killed when a taxi carrying tourists skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge near the Pahalgam tourist destination in Kashmir. The two victims were identified as Bawin Bhavsar, son of Mahesh Bhavsar — who was brought dead to Sub-District Hospital Pahalgam — and his wife Awni Bhavsar, who succumbed to severe injuries.
Districts including Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban have repeatedly featured in road accident reports. Authorities attribute the high frequency of accidents to bad road conditions, speeding, overloading, and road rage.
Enforcement Measures in Place
The traffic department has deployed special checking squads to identify and penalise offenders. Petrol pumps have been directed not to supply fuel to motorcycle riders not wearing crash helmets. In cases where vehicles are found to be driven by minors or unlicensed drivers, punishments include cancellation of registration certificates, vehicle impoundment, and imprisonment of parents. The department has also been conducting road safety advisory sessions for drivers, highlighting the risks of rash driving.
With accident-prone stretches continuing to claim lives, pressure is mounting on authorities to accelerate road improvement works and strengthen enforcement across the region's mountain highways.
Point of View
But they address driver behaviour while the underlying infrastructure deficit — narrow mountain roads, poor signage, inadequate barriers — remains largely unaddressed. Two fatal accidents within three days on different J&K routes suggests the problem is systemic, not incidental. Until road improvement timelines are made public and held to account, the cycle of announcements and accidents will continue.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Ramban bus accident on 19 May 2025?
A passenger bus bearing registration number JK02CU-7482 overturned on the Gool-Sangaldan road near Sangaldan in Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir, on 19 May 2025. One person was killed and 11 others were injured, with some sustaining serious injuries.
Where exactly did the Ramban bus accident occur?
The accident occurred on the Gool-Sangaldan road near the Sangaldan area in Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir. Ramban is one of the hilly districts in the union territory known for frequent road accidents.
What caused the bus to overturn in Ramban?
According to officials, the bus reportedly lost control before overturning on the roadside. Authorities have not yet issued a final cause; investigations are under way.
Who was killed in the Pahalgam road accident on 16 May?
A tourist couple from Gujarat — Bawin Bhavsar and his wife Awni Bhavsar — were killed on 16 May when a taxi skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge near Pahalgam. Bawin Bhavsar was brought dead to Sub-District Hospital Pahalgam, while Awni Bhavsar succumbed to her injuries.
What steps are authorities taking to prevent road accidents in J&K?
The traffic department has deployed special checking squads, directed petrol pumps not to fuel helmetless riders, and is conducting road safety advisory sessions for drivers. Penalties for unlicensed or minor-driven vehicles include registration cancellation, vehicle impoundment, and parental imprisonment.
