21 Pakistani pilgrims die in road crash

ISLAMABAD, May 7 (Reuters) Twenty-one Pakistani Muslim pilgrims were killed when their bus veered off a mountain road and plunged into a ravine, police said today.

The accident occurred near the town of Manshera, in the foothills of the Himalaya mountains, 45 km north of Islamabad, yesterday late evening when the pilgrims were returning from a shrine, said police officer Naseer Ahmed.

''It happened because of speeding. The driver lost control of the wheel while taking a sharp turn and the bus plunged into a deep ravine,'' Ahmed said. Seven people were injured.

Road accidents are common in Pakistan where many drivers fail to obey traffic rules.

REUTERS SYU BD1504