18 killed as bus plunges into canal

Police said a speeding bus lost control and crashed into a canal, killing 18 people and injuring another 56 in southwestern Bangladesh.

Local police chief Awlad Ali Fakir says the accident occurred early today in Faridpur district, 40 miles southwest of capital Dhaka.

He said rescuers recovered 14 bodies from the wreckage of the bus and that another four people died while being taken to hospital.

Fifty-six injured people are being treated in hospitals, some of them in serious condition, Mr Fakir said.