PTI

Nasik, Jan 21: At least 36 people, including 12 women and four children, were killed and 40 others injured when an overcrowded bus fell into a deep gorge at Nanduri, approximately 70 km from Nasik, police said on Monday. The bus was carrying a group of devotees, who were returning from the Saptashringi shrine in Nasik district.

The accident occurred on Sunday night at around 10.30 pm, when the bus skidded off the road after the driver lost control and fell into a 600-feet gorge, said Nasik Superintendent of Police Nikhil Gupta.

The private luxury bus was carrying about 76 people, all hailing from Mumbai, when the accident happened, he said, adding that the group was on their way to Nasik after visiting the temple.

The injured, including the driver, have been admitted to Kalwan, Vani and Nasik civil hospitals, he said.

Meanwhile, District Collector S Chokalingam said that rescue operations were progressing at the site and seven to eight ambulances have been rushed to the spot.

The bodies of those who died in the mishap have been shifted to the Nasik civil hospital, he said.