At least 11 killed and 25 hurt as bus packed with schoolkids plunges 100ft into steep gorge

AT LEAST 11 people have died and 25 are injured after an overloaded minibus packed with schoolkids plunged into a gorge in northern India. The minibus was reportedly crammed far beyond capacity when it veered off the road and hurtled down into a deep ravine on Wednesday morning. ANIAt least 11 have died after a minibus plunged into a ravine in northern India[/caption] A police officer warned the death toll is likely to rise as a number of passengers are in a critical condition. Most of the passengers were students at a nearby government school. The horror accident took place at around 8.30am in Poonch district in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Police say the minibus was on its way to Poonch from Gali Maidan when it veered off the road and fell into a 100 feet-deep gorge. READ MORE WORLD NEWS CRASHING DOWN Moment funfair ride plunges into the ground as two kids suffer spine injuries SONG ‘TORTURE’ Prisoner found dead 'after being forced to listen to Baby Shark on repeat' “The death toll is likely to go up in view of the critical injuries to 9 passengers,” an officer said. A major rescue operation was launched after the accident, involving police, the army and locals. The injured were evacuated to a district hospital in Poonch. Most read in News SHOW OF UNITY Wills & Harry to walk together behind Queen's coffin but Meg and Kate in car VIPS FOR THE VIP From Obama to Trump, who is and isn't among 500 attending Queen's funeral UNITED IN SORROW Meg and Harry join royals to receive Queen's coffin at Buckingham Palace PIERS MORGAN Charles is a man wrestling with the weight of history and winning HAZZA SAY Harry hits out at uniform ban after being told he CAN'T wear military outfit HOME TO REST Queen's coffin arrives for final night at Palace before Westminster procession