West Bengal: 8 of marriage party killed, 22 injured as van overturns

Eight members of a wedding party were killed on Thursday and 22 others injured when a pick-up van carrying them hit a tree and overturned on a hilly road in West Midnapore district, police said.

The accident occurred near Tamajuri under Belpahari police station when the pick-up van was returning to Muransole village after the wedding at Bandwan in neighbouring Purulia district. While six persons died on the spot, 24 injured persons were first taken to Belpahari block primary health centre and then to Jhargram district hospital.

Two of them died on the way to Jhargram, police said, adding the driver of the pick-up van was among the deceased. The bride and bridegroom were in another car and are safe.