At least twenty killed in India bus accident

Police say at least 20 people have been killed and 15 critically injured in eastern India today when a minibus crashed into a tree and fell into a ditch.

Police official Binod Kumar said the accident took place in the Gobindpur area of Jharkhand state, about 215 miles south-east of Patna, the capital of neighbouring Bihar state.

Mr Kumar said initial investigations show the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

All 40 passengers in the private minibus were part of a wedding party, but police said the bride and bridegroom were not on board and were travelling separately.

The other passengers also suffered minor injuries.