At least 25 people, including five children, died after the bus they were travelling in fell into a canal in Karnataka’s Mandya district on Saturday. The accident occurred in Kanganamaradi village of Pandavapura town. The bus fell into the canal after the driver lost control, the police said.
Many passengers could not escape from the bus as it fell to its side, trapping the doors on the floor of the canal. The bus soon submerged. Farmers working in nearby fields started rescue work immediately and rescued a few passengers. Authorities fear the number of people who have died could be higher.
Around 30 to 35 people were travelling in the private bus. Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has cancelled all his appointments and is scheduled to visit the accident site. The chief minister is also considering postponing the state cinema award ceremony, his office tweeted.