24 pilgrims killed in road accident in India

Bus carrying pilgrims falls into River Bhagirathi, 19 bodies recovered

By Shuriah Niazi

New Delhi (AA) - At least 24 people were killed and eight injured Tuesday evening when a bus they were traveling in fell into the River Bhagirathi in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

The bus carrying Hindu pilgrims was returning from Gangotri Temple in the Himalayas when the accident occurred in Uttarkashi district.

A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said 19 bodies had been taken from the river. The pilgrims had traveled from the central state of Madhya Pradesh, he added.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office said: “My prayers and solidarity with those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate bus accident in Uttarkashi. May the injured recover soon.”

Modi announced compensation of around $3,125 for the families of those killed in the accident.

Road accidents are a common occurrence in India. More than 400 people lost their lives every day in 2015, according to government data.

Kaynak: