1st LD Writethru: 15 die as bus plunges into gorge in central India

At least 15 people were killed and over 15 others injured when a private bus plunged into a gorge in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh Friday, a senior police official said.

"The mishap took place near Namli town in the state's Ratlam district when the bus carrying 40 passengers fell into the water body after the driver lost control of the speeding vehicle," he said, on condition of anonymity.

While 15 bodies have been fished out of water so far, those injured have been admitted to a local hospital where the condition of some are said to be serious, the official said.

The bus was on its way to Jaora from Ratlam when the mishap took place, he said.

Local TV channels reported, quoting eye-witnesses, that the bus first overturned and then fell into the gorge, and showed footage of rescuers trying to look for survivors.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, the official said, adding efforts are also on to pull out the bus from the gorge using hydraulic cranes.

Road accidents are common in India, mostly due to poor driving or badly maintained roads and vehicles. More than 130,000 people die in road mishaps in the country every year, as per official figures. Endit