Gangtok — The death toll in a bus accident in Sikkim mounted to 25 with four more people succumbing to their injuries at a hospital, officials said Thursday.
At least 21 people were killed and 49 injured late Wednesday when a crowded bus veered off a mountainous road and plunged into the Teesta river near village Bagaykhola, about 40 km south of the state capital.
“Four people died in hospital Thursday and at least five of the remaining 45 admitted in various hospitals were stated to be critical,” Sonam Wangmu, a state government spokesperson told IANS.
The overcrowded government bus fell into the river after the driver lost control trying to negotiate a sharp bend.
“There were about 80 people in the bus where the maximum seating capacity was just 32. Rescue workers are looking for more bodies as witnesses reported seeing at least four people being swept away by the strong currents,” Wangmu said.