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A school bus carrying 40 pupils plunged into a deep gorge on Monday in India’s northern state of Himachal Pradesh.
About 27 of the school children are feared dead.
Officials say the accident took place in the state’s Kangra district in Nurpur city.
“The bus rolled into a 200ft (61m) deep gorge, killing 27 schoolchildren, two teachers and the driver,” local police official Santosh Patyal told AFP news agency.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle skidded as it turned a corner and left the mountainous road, India’s ANI news agency reported.
The deputy commissioner of Kangra district, Sandeep Kumar, said rescue work has been initiated and those injured are being admitted in nearby hospitals.
According to Kumar, the gorge is about 30 meters deep.
He said police, local volunteers, team of doctors and other emergency services have been mobilised.