Asia-Pacific

26 dead as bus plunges into pond in India

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-31 11:16

GAUHATI, India - A bus carrying a wedding party plunged into a large pond in India's remote northeast, killing at least 26 people, an official said Tuesday.

The bus was crossing a wooden bridge over the pond when it gave way and fell more than 15 feet (4.5 meters) into the water below, local magistrate S.K. Roy said.

The accident took place late Monday night near a village called Hajo, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Gauhati, the capital of Assam state. Local villagers were the first to arrive on the scene and they pulled out 26 bodies. Six people were rescued and are at a local hospital.

Local television reported that the bus was carrying 40 to 50 people.

By Tuesday morning, police divers had arrived at the accident site to continue the search, said Swapnanil Deka, a senior police official.

Thousands of villagers had gathered at the accident site.

The 26 bodies, shrouded in white cloth, had been laid out by the side of the pond, local television showed.