India: 25 killed as bus falls into canal

By Ahmad Adil

CHANDIGARH, India

At least 25 people, including children, were killed after a bus fell into a canal in the India’s southwestern state of Karnataka, an official said.

The accident took place in Mandya district and the death toll is expected to rise, G. Parameshwara, deputy chief minister of the state told reporters.

"I believe the driver was not driving properly, I will find out," Parameshwara said.

Visuals aired by local media showed locals using ropes to pull the bus out from the water.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi expressed grief over the accident.

"Deeply pained [by] the bus accident in Karnataka’s Mandya. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. May God give them strength in this hour of sadness," Modi said in a Twitter post.