7 dead as bus falls into canal in AP

Seven persons, including a child died and 18 others injured when a bus carrying a marriage party plunged into a canal in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh after midnight on Monday, police said.

The bus, carrying about 40 people onboard, was on its way to Kakinada from Podili when it plunged into the Sagar canal near Darshi.

They were going to Kakinada to attend a marriage function.

Police rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations in coordination with other departments.

According to police, a bus of state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) was taken on rent for the travel.

The bus driver apparently dozed off at the wheel resulting in the mishap. The deceased were identified as Abdul Aziz (65), Abdul Hani (60), Sheikh Rameez (48), Mulla Noor Jahan (58), Mulla Jani Begum (65), Sheikh Shabeena (35) and Sheikh Hina (6).