Seventy dead as bus plunges into river

Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu): At least 70 people were feared drowned when a bus, carrying 105 passengers, fell into the swollen River Sirugani while crossing a bridge across it at Janaveli on Friday.

Twenty bodies, including that of seven women, have been recovered but officials say that most of the bodies have been washed away.

The conductor of the bus had issued nearly 105 tickets and only 15 people have managed to escape with minor injuries.

The river, which originates from the Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu, is normally dry but had swollen up lately due to the incessant rains.

The mishap occurred at a spot where the river merges with the sea.

Efforts are on to pull the bus out of the river however due to the heavy currents, they have not been able to drag it out.

(With inputs from PTI)