8 pilgrims killed in mishap in Hooghly

At least eight pilgrims on their way to Gangsagar were killed and 16 others injured when their bus hit a stationary truck and overturned in Hooghly district this morning amid foggy conditions.

The mishap took place near the Dankuni toll plaza, police said, adding the injured were rushed to Srimrampur State General Hospital and Walshi Hospital.

Preliminary reports said the pilgrims hailed from Maharashtra.

Lakhs of pilgrims have converged at Gangasagar in South 24 Parganas district to take a holy dip at the confluence of Ganga and sea ahead of the Makarsankranti festival. Two of the injured have been admitted to a Kolkata hospital.

The bus was coming from Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, police said, adding the bus driver was missing after the mishap.