6 killed, several injured as bus falls in river in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh dist

The Ranchi-bound bus coming from Giridih district rammed into the railing of the river bridge and fell into a dry spot of the river.

Superintendent of Police Manoj Ratan Chothe said a rescue operation has been launched and efforts are being made to take out the passengers still trapped in the bus, media reported.

Two people died on the spot while four others were declared dead by the doctors in Hazaribagh Sadar Hospital, he said.

There could be more fatalities as some people are critically injured and the administration is preparing to send them to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) in Ranchi for better treatment, he added.

Taking to Twitter, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said, "I am saddened by the death of passengers due to the bus falling from the bridge in Tatijharia. May God give peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families to bear this sad time. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the district administration. I wish the injured a speedy recovery."

Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta also tweeted and said, "I have directed Civil Surgeon Hazaribag to make arrangements for better treatment of the injured."