Asia-Pacific

23 killed in road mishap in southern India

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-08 14:02

NEW DELHI - At least 23 people were charred to death in a tragic road mishap in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu late Tuesday night, said police Wednesday.

The mishap happened when the bus in which the victims were traveling skidded off a bridge, turned turtle and caught fire near Kaveripakkam, after the driver lost control of the speeding vehicle.

While 23 people were burnt alive, one managed to escape and has been admitted to a local hospital with minor injuries.

On the same day and in the same state, at least 10 Malaysian tourists were injured in a road mishap, according to police.

The mishap happened when the van in which the 10 tourists, including five women, were traveling rammed against a bridge at Parthibanur in the state's Ramanathapuram district after the driver lost control of the speeding vehicle.

The tourists were returning from Rameswaram and were on their way to the temple town of Madurai when the incident happened. All the injured have been admitted to a local hospital.

Road accident rate in India is among the highest in the world, with at least 100,000 killed on the road each year.