20 killed as bus falls into canal in Kolkata

New Delhi: At least 20 people are dead and several others injured in a bus mishap in Kolkata on Friday. The incident happened very close to the airport at Dum Dum.

The bus fell into a roadside canal while trying to overtake an auto rickshaw. Rescue work is still on. There are reports that the casualties may rise.

The bus on route 217B was going to Narayanpur from Babughat when it veered off the road and plunged into the canal, the police said.

The injured have been rushed to various hospitals in the city.

Doctors said the death toll could rise as two injured were in a 'serious' condition.

Fire-fighters and the police rushed to the spot to help rescue the people trapped in the half-submerged bus. It was not immediately known how many passengers were in the bus.

Locals were also helping in the rescue efforts. Traffic on the arterial VIP road, leading to the NSC Bose international airport, was affected due to the accident.

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