18 killed in road accident

Gangtok, Oct 25 (UNI) At least 18 people were killed and 46 injured, some of them critically, when a bus carrying them hit the railing of a bridge and plunged into the Teesta river today.

Police said the bus was en route to the capital town from Jorethang in south Sikkim.

The injured had been admitted to STNM hospital and Central Referral Hospital here, where the condition of some was stated to be serious.

The accident occurred near Singtam, about ten km off East Sikkim on NH 31.

Soon after the incident, police and Army personnel rushed to the spot and launched a massive rescue operation.

Details were awaited.

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