NEW DELHI, May 21 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and more than 24 others injured when a private bus in which they were travelling rolled into a pit in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh Sunday, a senior police official said.
"The accident happened near Jogitikaria village in the state's Dindori district in the morning after the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve. The bus was speeding at the time of the accident," he said on condition of anonymity.
While six people died on the spot, the injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals, where the condition of some are said to be serious, the official said. "Five of the dead have been identified and efforts are on to identify the sixth victim," he added.
Local TV channels showed footage of the bus and victims undergoing treatment at hospitals.
Senior officials rushed to the spot after the incident and a probe has been ordered, the official said, adding that a manhunt has also been launched to track down the driver of the bus who fled the spot after the accident. "He will be charged for rash and negligent driving," the official added.
India has the highest number of road fatalities in the world, with over 400 people being killed in accidents every day, according to official statistics. Road accidents are often due to poor driving or badly maintained roads and vehicles.
