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30 killed as bus plunges into ditch near Midnapore

Zakia Maryam in Calcutta

As many as 30 people are feared dead in a bus mishap that took place at about 2130 IST on Monday in Midnapore, West Bengal. The accident has left 19 passengers critically injured.

According to police sources, all the injured have been admitted to the government hospital of Ghatal, a municipal town in Midnapore.

Speaking to rediff.com, the DIG (Midnapore range) R Singh said the private bus carrying about 50 people skidded into the ditch while trying to overtake a speeding lorry.

"Most of the passengers were returning from Ghatal after watching an evening movie show there. They were going back to Kharar, 20 km from Ghatal. Among the dead are the bus driver and conductor," Singh informed.

The accident took place in Baradi, around 2 km from Ghatal. The district administration, including the district magistrate and the SP, M K Singh, have rushed to the spot to review the situation.

Singh did not rule out the possibility of the bus driver being drunk, but said, "It is too early for me to comment on this."

"I am waiting for further details. Hopefully , by lunch time today, I will be in a position to throw more lights on the factors that led to the mishap," Singh added.

Relatives of the passengers are reaching Ghatal to identify their near and dear ones.

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