17 people dead as bus overturns and falls into gorge in India's Madhya Pradesh state

Around 17 people were killed and many were left wounded on Friday, 14 October, when a bus carrying more than 40 passengers fell into a gorge in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The accident took place when the bus was on its way from Ratlam to Mandsaur.

Ratlam's Superintendent of Police Avinash Sharma told Press Trust of India that "So far seventeen persons have been found dead in the ill-fated bus that fell into the gorge."

Another 13 people were pulled out of the bus and sent to nearby hospitals, additional superintendent of police Prashant Chaube said.

Witnesses said that the bus was moving at high speed and suddenly overturned and fell into the gorge filled with water. The driver did not slow down despite repeated warnings, some of the victims said.

However, according to a Dainik Bhaskar report, the bus driver lost control when the bus's steering failed. And, after that it rolled over itself at least 6 or 7 times before falling into the gorge. According to the report, the pit is around 25 feet away from the highway and over 50 feet deep.

Local residents rushed to the scene to help in rescue operations, which are still underway. Residents also allegedly raised slogans against the government and expressed anger against government officials.

Meanwhile, rescue operations are underway. Senior officials have rushed to the spot and further details are awaited.