At least 24 children killed when truck collides with school bus in India

A truck loaded with sand has collided with a school bus, killing at least 24 young children in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
People gather at the site where a truck loaded with sand collided with a school bus in the northern Indian state of Uttar PradeshPeople gather at the site where a truck loaded with sand collided with a school bus in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh
People gather at the site where a truck loaded with sand collided with a school bus in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

At least two dozen other children were injured early on Thursday when the speeding truck collided head-on with the bus, said Javeed Ahmed, the state's most senior police official.

The children, between the ages of three and 12, were studying at a school in the town of Etah.

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Another police officer, Daljeet Chaudhry, said visibility was low due to dense fog.

In this image from video, relatives cry over the covered body of a child after a traffic accidentIn this image from video, relatives cry over the covered body of a child after a traffic accident
In this image from video, relatives cry over the covered body of a child after a traffic accident

Mr Ahmed said rescuers were working to free several children still trapped in the wreckage.

The state's education authorities had closed all schools in the district due to a severe cold snap.

Mr Ahmed said the authorities would check why the school had stayed open.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences, saying: "Anguished by tragic accident in UP's Etah. I share the pain of the bereaved families & condole (the) passing away of young children."

Accidents are common on Indian roads, with most blamed on reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and ageing vehicles.