20 killed in major road mishap in northern India

At least 20 people were killed and 30 others injured in a major road mishap in the northern Indian state of Punjab late Wednesday night, a senior police official said Thursday. "The mishap happened when a mini truck in which the victims were traveling fell into a 100-feet deep gorge in the state's Hoshiarpur district after the driver lost control of the speeding vehicle while negotiating a curve. All the victims were pilgrims coming back to their village after visiting a place of worship," he said, on condition of anonymity. While 20 people died on the spot, all the injured others have been admitted to local hospitals, the official said. A probe has been ordered into the incident, he added. Road accidents are common in India, claiming the lives of over 100,000 people every year.