29 killed as truck falls into rivulet in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal -- At least 29 people were killed and 40 injured when the truck they were travelling in fell into a rivulet in Madhya Pradesh's Hoshangabad district early Wednesday.

Ten of the injured -- when the truck packed with labourers fell into a rivulet in Piparia in Hoshangabad district, 90 km from here -- are in a critical condition.

"The dead include 10 men, 10 women and nine children," Hoshangabad police superintendent V.P. Sharma told IANS over the phone.

He said the incident took place at 3.30 a.m. near Piparia town when the labourers were on their way to work in the fields.

"The incident occurred when the truck driver lost control while avoiding a head on collision with another speeding truck coming from the opposite direction," said Hoshangabad commissioner K.K. Singh.

Ten of the critically injured have been admitted to Bhopal's Hamidia hospital.