Fifteen people including children were killed when a state bus and a van collided on the Aligarh-Agra highway at Hathras district in in Uttar Pradesh, India, on Friday evening.

Fourteen people were injured in the incident, which occurred at around 6 pm in the Chandpa area when the van, a Tata Magic, attempted to overtake the bus, said police.

Most of the victims were travelling in the van.

Hathras Circle Officer Himanshu Mathur said that the cause will be determined after an investigation. “So far, 15 people, including children, have died in the accident,” he said.

The injured people were taken to a hospital. Four of them are in critical condition, said doctors. Police are working to confirm the identities of some victims.

A police team rushed to the scene and transported the injured people to the hospital. Senior police and administrative officials also arrived to assist.

The bus was heading toward Aligarh while the Tata Magic was returning from Agra. The Tata Magic’s occupants had gone to Agra to attend a function, said a police officer.

Police said a case is being registered. The identities of the drivers of both vehicles are yet to be confirmed.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced compensation of `2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and `50,000 each for those seriously injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths in the accident and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. The local administration is providing all possible help to the victims under the supervision of the state government, he said on X.

President Droupadi Murmu condoled the loss of lives in the accident and prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured.

Source: The Indian Express