MUZAFFARABAD: A Pakistani police officer says a bus has plunged into a river in the northern, Pakistani-administered Kashmir region, and that at least 35 people on board have died.

Farooq Ahmad says the bus slid off the road on Friday in the Changa'n area and plunged into Neelam River, some 60 miles from the regional capital of Muzaffarabad.

The officer says the driver may have lost control of the bus as he tried to avoid a flock of sheep on the road. Ahmad says an investigation is under way.

At least 35 bodies have been recovered and a search for more victims is underway. There were 55 people on board when the bus slid off.

Reports state that the victims include women and children.