NEW DELHI, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in Tuesday night's bus mishap in eastern India has risen to 12, said local media reports.
The death toll is feared to further rise since some of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
The mishap had occurred in India's eastern state of Odisha when a bus heading towards the city of Cuttack suddenly fell off the Mahanadi bridge in Jagatpur area (near Cuttack).
An English daily "Hindustan Times quoted a senior state official Ramesh Prasad Sharma as saying - "Twelve people have died."
Besides, several people were injured in the mishap and they have been admitted in the S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital for medical treatment and care.
The ill-fated bus was carrying around 30 passengers when the mishap occurred. According to the preliminary reports, the bus driver lost control over the vehicle when he suddenly swerved to save a buffalo which had come in the way.
The bus, which was reportedly at a great speed, smashed into the bridge's cement railings and fell 30 feet onto the riverbed. There is presently no water in the Mahanadi river.
