Truck carrying pilgrims hits bus in India, 17 dead

Police in northern India say a speeding truck carrying pilgrims has crashed head-on into a bus, killing 17 people. Surendra Srivastava said the Hindu pilgrims were returning home after bathing in the Ganges River when the crash occurred early Thursday. At least 20 others were injured. Police say the crash was likely caused by reckless driving, and that the drivers of both vehicles involved were speeding when the collision took place in Uttar Pradesh state. Road accidents are common in India. Reckless driving, bad roads and poorly maintained vehicles are often blamed for the accidents.