At least 16 people have died, including schoolchildren, after a bus fell from a cliff in a horror crash in India.
It's believed another 25 people have been injured after the private bus tumbled over a cliff in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India, falling into a deep gorge.
The injured have been rushed to hospital for treatment, according to local journalists.
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The bus was carrying 45 passengers at the time of the incident, according to reports.
The incident occurred at around 8am local time while students and commenters travelled to school and work.
TV9 Editor Aditya Raj Kaul tweeted: "Terrible news. Over 16 killed including school children and 25 injured as a private bus rolled off a cliff in Jangla area of Sainj valley on Neoli-Shansher road of Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Injured are being shifted to local hospitals, rescue teams from Kullu at spot."
The Times of India reported that several bodies have already been recovered from the crash site.
The outlet said that the driver - who was taking most of the passengers to nearby Sainj - lost control of the vehicle before it rolled down the sheer hillside.
The bus flipped over several times and landed on its roof after it plunged down the gorge leaving several passengers trapped in the wreckage.
Though post-mortems are still to be carried out, local media say the victims were crushed to death in the fall.
Gurdev Sharma, the area's police senior superintendent, said police, ambulances and other officials rushed to the site where locals were helping to save the injured from the wreckage.
Sources told the TOI that some of the victims had a miraculous escape.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the tragedy.
He said: "The bus accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh is heart-rending. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected."
Other officials also expressed words of support for the victims' families.
Chief Minister of Rajahstan Ashok Gehlot said: "Deeply saddened to know many people have lost lives in an accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May they remain strong to bear this loss. Prayers for speedy recovery of those injured."
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