37 killed as bus falls into canal in India’s Madhya Pradesh

At least 37 people, including 16 women and one child, were killed as a bus carrying them fell into a canal in Sidhi district of India's Madhya Pradesh this morning, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"A total of 37 bodies, including 16 women, 20 men and a child, have been fished out of the Bansagar canal so far," said Rewa Divisional Commissioner Rajesh Jain.

Around 44 passengers were on the bus when it fell from the bridge over the canal around 8:30am, the DC said.

Of the passengers, around seven were able to swim to the banks of the canal, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the "horrific" bus accident.

His office announced an ex gratia of Rs two lakh each for the next to kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured.