16 killed as bus falls in gorge in Uttarakhand

At least 16 people were killed and over a dozen passengers seriously injured when a bus fell into a gorge in Uttarakhand Saturday, police said.

The accident took place at Juyalgarh near the Chandraprabha bridge. The ill-fated bus was going from Haridwar to Gwaldam and had 33 passengers in it.

Police said the survivors told them that the driver was speeding and lost control while negotiating a turn.

A rivulet created following the heavy rain that has been pounding the hill state added to the problems in the rescue operation as the bus fell into it.

The injured were admitted to the Srinagar base hospital. Only one passenger survived unhurt in the mishap.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat has announced Rs.1 lakh compensation for the kin of the dead. He will fly to the hospital Sunday to meet the injured. - IANS