India school bus crash kills dozens

[Devolz]

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, police say.

At least two dozen other children were injured when the speeding truck collided head-on with the bus, said Javeed Ahmed, the state’s top police official.

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

A police officer, Daljeet Chaudhry, said visibility was low because of dense fog.

Parasuram Singh, another police officer, said the truck driver had had to have his legs amputated.

The area is about 170 miles south-east of Delhi.

State education authorities had closed all schools in the district because of cold weather, and Ahmed said authorities would check why the school had stayed open.

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