Rajasthan: 32 killed as bus falls into river

At least 32 people were killed on Saturday when a private bus fell into Banas river from a nearly 100- foot high bridge in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district, police said. The bus was ferrying passengers from Lal Soth to Sawai Madhopur. According to media reports, the bus was being driven by a 16-year-old conductor who was allegedly speeding and lost control over the vehicle.

Injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals. District officials are supervising the rescue operations. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered his condolences to the families of the affected.

Anguished by the bus accident in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. State Government is closely monitoring the situation, including rescue operations and providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 23, 2017

Rajasthan: 32 feared dead as bus falls into riverhttps://t.co/cB2UIjR59r pic.twitter.com/JSlT8n5Ppd

— DNA (@dna) December 23, 2017

Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje also tweeted that the state government has been closely monitoring the situation and rescue operations are on.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has tweeted, "Saddened by the tragedy. My condolences are with the families of the deceased. I would appeal to the state government to offer immediate help to the affected."

Fog is believed to be the cause of the accident. Despite it being Saturday, there were many passengers on the bus who were going to offer prayers at a temple in Malarna Chour. 

"There were around 50 passengers in the bus. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals," a senior police officer said.

The bus had left Sawai Madhopur at 5 am.  After breaking the railing of the bridge the bus fell into the river at around 6 am. 

Passengers were from other states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Assam. Several of them were going to offer prayers at a temple in Malarna Chour in the district, Police said.