MUMBAI

At least 30 people were killed on Thursday morning when a public passenger bus fell into a 120-meter deep gorge near tourist spot Malshej Ghat in Thane district, 160 kilometers northeast of India’s financial capital Mumbai.

The deadly accident occurred around 10.30 am local time when the driver lost control of the vehicle. Police have arrested the driver.

The passenger bus broke into two pieces due to the impact of the fall. Rescue and relief works are under way at the accident site.

Thane Rural ASP (Additional Superintendent of Police) Sangramsingh Nishandar told a private news channel that it is difficult to supervise the rescue operation as there is no mobile network in the area.

“It is difficult to monitor the rescue operation. Medical teams have reached the area. We are trying to give immediate medical help to bring down casualties,” said Nishandar.

A total of 40 passengers were traveling in the bus from Vithalwadi in Thane to Ahmednagar city.

Sources said that at least three passengers were critically wounded as an unknown number of others were rushed to a primary health care center in nearby Murbad town.