At least 20 people were killed and 30 others injured in a major road mishap in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur town Sunday, a senior police official said.

"The mishap happened when a state-owned bus and a private passenger bus plunged into a ditch after colliding head-on Maniram bridge about 20 km from Gorakhpur. While 18 people have died on the spot, 30 others injured have been admitted to a local hospital with serious injuries," the official said on condition of anonymity.

The state government has announced a compensation of 50,000 rupees (1,000 U.S. dollars) for the kin of each of the deceased and 25,000 rupees (500 U.S. dollars) each to those seriously injured and 10,000 rupees each to those who suffered minor injuries.

Senior officials have rushed to the accident site, the official said, adding a probe has been ordered into the incident.