40 dead in Indian truck accident

At least 40 people were killed when a truck overturned and fell into a roadside pond in northern India today, police said.

Senior police official Brij Lal said the vehicle was carrying pilgrims travelling to a local temple in Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh state.

At least 12 other people were injured in the accident.

Mr Lal said the truck was carrying more than 60 passengers, and most of the deaths were due to drowning.

Ballia district is about 185 miles (300km) south-east of the state capital, Lucknow.