More than 17 people were killed when a bus and a passenger train collided at a railway crossing in northwest India Friday morning, police officials said.

 

"At least 17 people were killed, including six children, when the bus, carrying college students and teachers, and the train collided at around 09:00 a.m. local time in Punjab's Moga district, " the police officials said.

 

According to a railway spokesperson, the accident took place at a manned gate which was closed as the train was passing. But the bus crashed into the gate and then hit the train.

 

He said apparently there was fog and visibility was low, and the driver of the bus could not see properly.

 

There were about 35 passengers on the bus and the death toll was expected to rise as many of the injured were in a critical condition, police said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 14, 2007)