Death toll 18 after bus plunges into canal

Kolkata: At least 18 people were killed when a private bus plunged into a canal in northeastern Kolkata on Friday.

The bus had around 50 passengers at the time of the accident. Several of the injured were taken to hospital in critical condition.

"Eighteen bodies have been recovered and several others in critical condition have been taken to hospital," said Tapas Chatterjee, chairman of Rajarhat Municipality, which falls under the North 24 Parganas district adjoining Kolkata.

"The accident occurred when the vehicle's brake failed as the driver was trying to overtake another bus," said Chatterjee.

The ill-fated bus was pulled out of water with the help of two cranes.

Divers from the Disaster Management Group rushed to the spot to help with the rescue efforts.