Accident injures 14, including foreign tourists

Soldiers rescued on Thursday 14 tourists, including eight foreigners, who were injured when their vehicle met with an accident on a Ladakh road in Jammu and Kashmir.

The troops were returning to their base after rafting when they saw the toppled vehicle and immediately started to rescue the trapped passengers. Eight of the tourists suffered serious injuries.

The soldiers then shifted the injured to the Military Hospital at Nimu.

Defence ministry spokesman Colonel S.D. Goswami told IANS that the accident occurred at 11 a.m. on National Highway 1A near Sangam in Ladakh region.

A mini bus going from Sangam to Chilling with 14 tourists toppled after its right rear tyre burst.

The foreigners included four males and females each -- from New York, Israel and Nepal. The six Indian tourists included four men and two women from Mumbai.

Eight of them suffered severe injuries. Six sustained abrasions and lacerations.

"The army personnel showed exemplary courage, initiative and great presence of mind in the rescue operation," an official said. "Due to their extraordinary valour, deaths were prevented."