42 bodies retrieved from Narmada Canal (Laed:Vadodra bus accident)

At least 42 people, most of them school children were killed when a bus plunged into the Narmada Canal at Bodeli village, about 50 kms from here this morning.

Vadodra, Apr 16 : At least 42 people, most of them school children were killed when a bus plunged into the Narmada Canal at Bodeli village, about 50 kms from here this morning.

Vadodra District Collector Vijay Nehra said four children were rescued from the 60-feet deep canal.

The Gujarat Government has announced Rs. 1 lakh as compensation to the kin of dead.

The Gujarat Transport Corporation bus was taking at least fifty children on a study tour from Targol to Bodeli when the mishap occurred.

Senior district administration officials are overseeing rescue operations.

The water released into the canal through the Sardar Sarovar Dam was stopped to aid in rescue operations.

Forty two bodies, including that of the driver of the bus, have been fished out from the canal so far, official sources said.

The driver lost control of the vehicle as it was moving over the bridge. The bus crashed into the parapet wall of the bridge and plunged into the canal around 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

ANI