World
32 killed as bus plunges into river in western India
At least 32 people died when a commuter bus veered off a bridge and plunged into a river in western Indian State of Rajasthan on Saturday.At least 32 people died when a commuter bus veered off a bridge and plunged into a river in western Indian State of Rajasthan on Saturday.
According to B.L. Soni, a police officer, the incident occurred when the speeding bus rammed into bridge railing while trying to overtake another vehicle this morning.
Police are investigating what caused the driver to lose control of the bus. It wasn’t clear if the driver survived, or how many people were aboard the bus, according to Associated Press.
Rescuers have so far recovered 32 bodies from the river.
The bus was on its way to Lalsot, a town in Rajasthan, after picking up passengers from the Sawai Madhopur railroad station when it crashed around 6 am, said police officer Narain Singh.
Driver fatigue, negligence, poor quality roads and vehicle maintenance are the usual causes of such accidents in India.
Police figures show India has the world’s highest road accident death toll, with more than 110,000 people dying each year in crashes.