At least 18 people were killed and more than 25 others injured in a major road mishap in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh early this morning, a police official said.

"The mishap happened when a speeding passenger bus collided head-on with a mini-truck coming from the opposite direction in the Lakahooti area of the state's Bulandshahar district. Most of the victims were on the mini-truck and returning from a funeral when the mishap took place," he said.

While 18 people were killed on the spot, the injured have been admitted to a local hospital, the official said, adding that the driver of the neighbouring state of Uttarakhand Roadways' bus could manage to flee.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, he added.

India has one of the world's highest road tolls, with over 110, 000 people killed every year in accidents.