SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir - At least 17 people were killed and 18 others were injured Tuesday after a mini-passenger bus skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The accident took place late afternoon near Digdol in Ramban district, around 160 km south of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"So far 17 people have died in the accident and 18 are reported injured," said Dr. B.L. Bhardwaj, Medical Superintendent Ramban. "Of the 18 injured, the 12 seriously injured were airlifted to Jammu for specialized treatment."

According to officials, the ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK14B-0180 was on way from Ramban to Banihal, when it fell into a 400 feet deep gorge.

No sooner the news about accident spread, locals and policemen rushed to the spot to carry out rescue work.

The health officials pressed in ambulances to carry injured and dead to the hospital, officials said.

Police said the driver of the vehicle lost control while negotiating a sharp curve on the road.

Deadly road accidents are common in this mountainous region often caused by overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving.

According to traffic department officials, 1,080 people died in more than 6,129 road accidents across Indian-controlled Kashmir last year.