Bus plunges into river killing at least 21

At least 21 people were killed when an overcrowded bus plunged into a river in the Indian part of Kashmir, police said today.

Local police spokesman Haseeb Mughal said the accident happened early this morning near Bhanderkot, a mountainous region about 150 miles north-east of Jammu, one of the main cities in India’s Jammu-Kashmir state.

Seven others were injured in the accident. Mr Mughal said rescue operations were ongoing.

The bus plunged about 800ft into the fast-moving Chenab river.

Deadly road accidents are common in India – often caused by ageing vehicles, overloading and reckless driving on poorly-maintained roads.