At least 18 people were killed and 30 others injured after a private bus fell off a bridge in the eastern Indian state of Odisha Friday, a police official said.

"The incident took place in the state's Angul district when the private bus fell off the Manitri bridge into a 50-feet deep area after the driver lost control of the speeding vehicle," he said on condition of anonymity.

The bus was carrying 50 passengers and on its way from Boudh to Attamallick when the mishap took place in the morning, the official said, adding 18 bodies have been pulled out so far, while those injured were admitted to a local hospital.

Local TV channels reported that rescue operation was still underway and state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the incident.

"A probe has been ordered into the mishap," the official said.

This is not the first such tragedy in the state. Three months ago, 23 people were killed in a similar mishap in Bargarh district and 30 people lost their lives in April when another bus had plunged into a gorge in Deogarh district.

Source : XINHUA