22 killed in road mishaps in Assam

Guwahati, Jan 30 (UNI) At least 22 people were killed and 52 severly injured in two separate road accidents in Assam early this morning.

At least 12 people died and 28 others were severely injured, when a Silchar-bound Assam State Transports Corporation(ASTC) bus fell into a deep gorge, about 40 kms from Shillong. The passengers of the bus were all junior doctors going to Silchar medical college hospital.

According to survivors, the bus driver lost control and fell into the gorge at around 1130 hours. However, it took a long time for information to reach passerbys and the police and rescue operations to begin.

Last night, temperatures had dropped near freezing point at Maryngkneng, where the accident took place.

The injured have been taken to the Shillong hospital, police sources informed.

Meanwhile, at least ten people died, when a Nalbari-bound bus was hit from behind by a speeding truck near Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur district earlier at 0300 hours this morning. Twenty four others have been admitted to the Tezpur civil hospital with severe injuries.

UNI MT LL/src1233