At least 20 people were killed and 18 injured when a passenger bus plunged into Chenab River in the hilly Doda district of Jammu region on Wednesday morning.

A senior police officer said the bus was on its way from Bhaderwah to Doda when the driver lost control while trying to maneuver the bus around a bend.

"So far, we have recovered the bodies of 20 passengers. A massive rescue and relief operation is underway at the accident site," the officer told rediff.com

He said the 18 injured victims have been rushed to the local hospital. The official added that the death toll is likely to go up.