27 killed in Karnataka bus mishap

The victims were coming from pilgrim centre of Koodalasangama when the accident occurred.

At least 27 people, including 12 women and eight children, were drowned when their mini-bus skidded off the road and plunged into the river Krishna near the Almatti dam in Bagalkot district of Karnataka on Tuesday.

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The victims were coming from the pilgrim centre of Koodalasangama when the accident occurred. The driver lost while trying to avoid head-on collision with a motorcyclist.

According to Bagalkot superintendent of police Ramesh Harihar, the 30-seater mini-bus was carrying four families from neighbouring

Koppal district. Besides the driver, six men of the group swam to safety.

The police and people from nearby villages rushed to the spot to recover the bodies. Five bodies, including those of three women, were recovered from the river. Authorities of the irrigation department closed all the 26 crest gates to stop water from the Almatti dam and to facilitate search and rescue operations.

A case of rash and negligent driving has been registered against the driver.